VDOT News - Staunton

STAUNTON – (4 a.m.) Snow, sleet and rain are reported in much of the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands region early Thursday morning, December 22. The wintry mix is expected to intensify and cause slick roadways for the morning commute. Rain may freeze on contact, creating dangerous black-ice conditions. The Virginia Department of Transportation advises against non-emergency travel.

As of 4 a.m., icy patches were reported on primary and secondary roads in Highland County. Other roadways in the 11-county VDOT Staunton District are reported to be clear, but conditions will change rapidly on Thursday morning.

The northern Shenandoah Valley and higher elevations throughout the region are expected to receive the highest snowfall totals. These areas include Interstate 64 and Route 250 over Afton Mountain, Route 33 at the Rockingham County lines, and Route 211 at the Page County lines. Snowfall rates of an inch per hour are possible from mid-morning through mid-day on Thursday.

The wintry mix is forecast to change over to rain Thursday afternoon, but motorists should continue to be alert for possible black ice. Bridges and overpasses freeze first, sometimes creating an icy glaze even when roadway approaches are just wet. Those who must drive should use extreme caution and always wear a seatbelt.

Statewide road conditions and traffic cameras are at http://www.511Virginia.org. For a detailed list of winter weather road conditions click “Text Views” on the orange bar atop the page. Then click on “Road Conditions Table” and use the pull-down box to select individual counties and cities. Roads with snow conditions will be marked minor, moderate, severe or closed.

On the go? Visit VDOT’s Free Virginia 511 Tools to get your 511 app for android or iOS. Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511.

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 Snow Page is on the VDOT website under Travel Center Snow Emergency Pages. The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton.

Follow VDOT on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and YouTube. RSS feeds are also available for statewide information. The VDOT Web page is located at http://www.VirginiaDOT.org.

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

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