Fast-Moving But Intense Winter Storm Arrives Tonight in the Shenandoah Valley

STAUNTON – Potentially dangerous driving conditions are expected Friday night and Saturday morning (February 16-17) as a quick-moving winter storm hits the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands. The storm is expected to include bands of heavy snow – 1 to 3 inches an hour at times – which will create slick roads and poor visibility. The highest snow accumulations are expected in the northern valley and in higher elevations.

Crews and contractors from the Virginia Department of Transportation will be on duty starting Friday evening throughout the 11-county VDOT Staunton District. They will plow and treat roadways as needed, beginning with interstates and other primary highways.

VDOT advises motorists to complete their travels before the winter storm, or wait until well after snow stops falling and road conditions improve. Before driving, check weather forecasts and driving conditions for your entire route.

VDOT provides statewide road conditions and traffic cameras at 511Virginia.org and on 511 mobile apps. Roads with snow conditions are marked minor, moderate, severe or closed.

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

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.

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

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