Shenandoah Valley Roads Improve – But Refreeze Looms

STAUNTON – (11:30 a.m.) Road conditions are steadily improving in the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands. As of mid-day Tuesday, interstates are generally clear and most primary roads have only isolated patches of snow or ice. The Virginia Department of Transportation’s Staunton District is currently focused on secondary roads, and nearly all have been plowed at least once.

Single-digit temperatures are expected throughout the region Tuesday night. Any wet surfaces will become icy, including previously plowed and treated roadways. VDOT treats roads with a mix of salt and abrasives to improve traction, but motorists should avoid unnecessary travel late Tuesday and early Wednesday morning.

The VDOT Staunton District has been engaged in winter-weather operations around the clock since midnight Sunday night. Here are the road conditions as of 11:30 a.m.:

Interstates 64 – Minor conditions in Alleghany County. Clear conditions in Rockbridge and Augusta counties.

Interstates 66 – Clear conditions in Warren County.

Interstates 81 – Clear conditions in Rockbridge, Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Frederick counties.

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

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

VDOT provides statewide road conditions and traffic cameras at 511Virginia.org. 511 apps are available for Android and iOS devices. Roads with snow conditions are 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. Drive with caution.

Access the VDOT Customer Service Center at its mobile friendly website: my.vdot.virginia.gov. Agents are on site 24/7 to assist the public. Reach the VDOT Customer Service Center by phone at 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623).

The VDOT Staunton District is on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). Follow VDOT statewide accounts on Facebook, Flickr, X and YouTube. The VDOT website is www.vdot.virginia.gov and includes a weather safety page.

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

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.