Monday snow impacting roads in the Shenandoah Valley

STAUNTON (11 a.m.) – The third winter storm in less than a week is impacting travel conditions in the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands. Snow began falling in the pre-dawn hours Monday and is expected to continue through the afternoon. Up to four inches of accumulation is possible, mostly in the central and southern part of the region.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is plowing and treating roads as needed in the 11-county Staunton District. VDOT advises motorists to postpone travel if possible until temperatures rise and conditions improve.

Icing is a significant concern Monday night and Tuesday morning, when temperatures are expected to drop well below freezing. Wet or slushy roadways may refreeze and create dangerous driving conditions. Bridges, overpasses and untreated surfaces are most at risk.

Here are the conditions as of 11 a.m. Monday in the 11-county Staunton District:

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

Interstate 64 – Moderate conditions in Alleghany County. Minor conditions in Rockbridge and Augusta counties.

Interstate 66 – Clear conditions in Warren County.

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

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

For updated traffic alerts and travel information dial 511, visit the 511 Virginia website or download the mobile app. Motorists are reminded to check their entire route as conditions vary throughout Virginia. 511 Virginia shows road conditions on a color-coded map and in county-by-county text listings. Conditions are defined as:

• Minor – bare pavement except for isolated spots of snow, ice or slush.
• Moderate – snow or ice on major portions of the road.
• Severe – drifting or partially blocked road.
• Closed – road is closed to all traffic.

The VDOT Customer Service Center operates 24/7 to help roadway users report potential hazards, make service requests or get information related to Virginia’s transportation network. Use its mobile friendly website or call 800-367-7623.

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

The VDOT website has winter weather travel tips, news releases, and links to social media accounts for VDOT districts throughout the Commonwealth.