Overnight freeze creates icy conditions Tuesday morning in the Shenandoah Valley

STAUNTON (4:30 a.m.) — Several inches of snow followed by bitter cold overnight has caused icy conditions in the central and southern Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands. Tuesday morning temperatures range from the teens to low 20s, turning wet or slushy surfaces into hazardous ice. Avoid travel in these areas until temperatures rise well above freezing and conditions improve.

The Virginia Department of Transportation continues plowing and treating roads as needed, and will continue until conditions are safe for travel. Interstates are VDOT’s first priority, followed by primary roads and major secondary roads with high traffic volumes or vital public facilities. Low-volume secondaries and subdivision streets are treated after priority routes are completed and additional resources are available.

Here are the conditions as of 4:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 11-county VDOT Staunton District:

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

Interstate 64 – Minor conditions in Augusta and Rockingham counties. Clear conditions in Alleghany County.

Interstate 66 – Clear conditions in Warren County.

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

Secondary Roads – Moderate conditions in Augusta, Bath and Rockbridge counties. Minor conditions in Alleghany, Highland, 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.