Stay off the Roads as Storm Continues

STAUNTON (10:30 p.m.) – Motorists should avoid travel overnight, Sunday and into Monday morning as a winter storm brings snow, sleet and ice to the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands. Those who absolutely must travel should use extreme caution.

The Virginia Department of Transportation pre-treated major roadways Thursday and Friday, and has begun plowing roads throughout the 11-county Staunton District. VDOT crews and contractors are using more than 1,100 pieces of equipment and will work around the clock on rotating 12-hour shifts.

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.

Here are the conditions as of 10:30 p.m. Saturday in the VDOT Staunton District:

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

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

Interstate 66 – Clear conditions in Warren County.

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

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

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.