Ice and fog conditions present travel hazards tonight in the Shenandoah Valley

STAUNTON — (5:30 p.m.) The Saturday, January 6 winter weather event in the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands is winding down. The storm provided sleet, freezing rain and some snow. Most untreated roads have slush or icy patches. Ice accretion has coated trees, walkways and other surfaces throughout the region. Falling branches and trees may be possible in some areas before melting occurs.

Virginia Department of Transportation crews continue to monitor roads throughout the night, treating and plowing roads as needed. Tree crews will be used to remove branches and debris in roadways.

Forecasted temperatures are expected to be below freezing overnight leaving a refreeze on the roadways. Glazing, black ice and fog will present driving hazards overnight. Bridges and elevated surfaces freeze first.

The safest plan is to not travel tonight in storm affected areas. Conditions vary across Virginia as the storm departs the state. All travelers are asked to be aware of weather and travel conditions along their route. Always buckle up when traveling.

Here are the 5 p.m. road conditions in the VDOT Staunton District.

Interstate 64 – Clear conditions in Alleghany, Rockbridge, and Augusta counties.

Interstate 66 – Clear conditions in Warren County.

Interstate 81 - Minor conditions in Shenandoah and Frederick counties.  Clear conditions in Rockbridge, Augusta, and Rockingham counties.

Primary roads – Moderate conditions in Highland, Shenandoah, Frederick, Warren and Clarke counties. Minor conditions in Rockbridge, Augusta, Rockingham and Page counties. Clear conditions in Bath and Alleghany counties.

Secondary roads – Moderate conditions in Highland, Shenandoah, Frederick, Warren and Clarke counties.  Minor conditions in Bath, Alleghany, Rockbridge, Augusta, Rockingham and Page counties.

Road conditions and traffic cameras can be found on the VDOT 511 website at http://www.511Virginia.org, Roads with snow conditions will be marked minor, moderate, severe or closed. Apps for 511 are available for android and iOS devices.

For a text listing of winter weather road conditions go to http://www.511Virginia.org, look at the orange bar on the top of the page and click on “Text Views” and then click on “Road Condition Table”. Look at the pull down box that lists all jurisdictions.  In this box individual counties can be chosen to view.

The VDOT Customer Service Center can be accessed through its mobile friendly website at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/. Agents are on site 24/7 every day of the year to assist the public. People can also call the VDOT Customer Service Center at 800-FOR- ROAD (800-367-7623).

The Staunton District X (formerly Twitter) feed is at @VaDOTStaunton.

VDOT statewide X feeds can be found at @VaDOT. The nine districts can be found at:Hampton Roads  @VaDOTHR; Richmond @VaDOTRVA; Northern Virginia @VaDOTNOVA;  Fredericksburg @VaDOTFred; Culpeper @VaDOTCulp; Lynchburg  @VaDOTLynchburg; Bristol @VaDOTBristol; Salem @VaDOTSalem; Staunton  @VaDOTStaunton.

The VDOT Staunton District is on Facebook and X. Follow VDOT statewide accounts on Facebook, Flickr, X and YouTube. The VDOT Web page is www.vdot.virginia.gov.

The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.

Road condition definitions:
Closed – Road is closed to all traffic.
Severe – drifting or partially blocked road. 
Moderate – snow or ice on major portions of the roadway.  
Minor – bare pavement except for isolated spots of snow, ice or slush.  Driving with caution is recommended.