Small snow can lead to big problems – plan travel around upcoming winter weather

STAUNTON — A smaller snow event as compared to earlier this week is headed towards the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands later on Friday, January 10 into the early hours of Saturday, January 11.

Individuals with travel plans are asked to be alert for inclement weather conditions and travel ahead or after any winter precipitation. Advancing or delaying travel can allow crews more space to clear roadways and help prevent crashes caused by slick roads. Even small amounts of snow or ice can create hazardous travel conditions.

Virginia Department of Transportation crews will be out to monitor and treat the roads, beginning on Friday night. The VDOT Staunton District will not brine roads for this storm since much of the salt from the previous winter event remains or road surfaces.

Road-clearing priorities are as follows: 

• The Interstate Highway System and limited-access roadways are our first priority.
• Primary roads and major secondary roads with vital emergency and public facilities, or those with high-traffic volumes, will be cleared along with interstate and limited-access roadways as resources allow.
• Low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets will be treated after higher-priority routes are completed and additional resources are available.

Travelers are asked to monitor the weather along any travel route for possible changes. Conditions can vary greatly from one end of the Commonwealth of Virginia to the other.

Information can be obtained on the VDOT website at https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/ and the 511 website at https://511.vdot.virginia.gov/. On the VDOT 511 website roads with snow and ice conditions will be marked minor, moderate, severe or closed.

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. 

If travel is necessary during winter weather be alert for elevated roadways such as bridges and overpasses that freeze first.  Buckle up when traveling.

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 (Twitter) feed is at @VaDOTStaunton. The VDOT Staunton District has a group page on Facebook. Follow VDOT statewide accounts on Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube.

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; and Staunton @VaDOTStaunton.

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