Plows Continue to Make Progress after Winter Storm

STAUNTON (10:15 PM) – As wintry precipitation winds down across the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands, motorists should still avoid traveling before late morning on Monday.

By delaying travel, you are helping the Virginia Department of Transportation crews continue their critical work, which will allow them to plow subdivision streets sooner.

When vehicles begin driving on the snow on secondary and neighborhood roads, it becomes packed down and increasingly challenging for snowplows to reach bare pavement.

Crews and contractors continue plowing and treating major roadways, and they are working around the clock on rotating 12-hour shifts. Please give crews room to work. Never pass a plow truck actively pushing snow.  

Plowing focuses first on interstates and most primary routes, and may not reach all secondary roads and subdivisions for several days. Extreme cold during and after the storm extends the time needed to complete plowing operations, and may cause refreezing on roads previously plowed and treated.

As of 10:15 p.m. Sunday, roadways in the VDOT Staunton District are reported to be in moderate condition with the exception of primary roads in Highland County, where conditions are listed as severe.

If you need to travel Monday morning, know road conditions before you leave home.

For emergency road-condition updates and travel information visit the 511 Virginia website, download the mobile app or dial 511. Motorists should check their entire route as conditions will vary throughout Virginia, to include dangerous ice accumulations in the southern part of the Commonwealth. 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.