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4 p.m. Monday - The Virginia Department of Transportation just issued the following press release.
A winter storm that blanketed snow and poured sleet and freezing rain on Virginia Sunday night will continue into Tuesday. Motorists need to continue to avoid driving and use extreme caution if travel is absolutely necessary. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is focused on making roadways safe for travel, and crews can effectively do that when there are less motorists on hazardous roads.
The winter storm arrived in Virginia on Sunday night and continued through Monday morning, with snow in the northern half of the state, and a wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow in the southern half of the commonwealth. By late Monday afternoon and evening, some bands of snow will redevelop over central and western Virginia requiring crews to revisit interstates and primary roadways. Additionally, even though crews continue to work to make roadways passable, any moisture remaining on the roadways tonight could cause refreeze with temperatures dropping below freezing.
Due to the amount of ice, snow and cold temperatures that could remain throughout the week, expect it to take several days to complete operations. Crews are working around the clock in 12-hour shifts to remove snow and treat state-maintained roads until they are passable. Snow removal operations take time, so travelers should not expect to see bare roads during — and for a period after — the storm.
Even after roads have been plowed and treated, drivers should still use caution because they may encounter icy spots on the roadway. With freezing temperatures, roads that look wet may actually be icy, and motorists should use extra caution when approaching bridges, overpasses, highway ramps and shady areas where ice can form.
VDOT prioritizes state-maintained roads that carry the most traffic for snow removal. VDOT works to make interstates and most primary roads (routes numbered 1 to 599) passable first. Crews also focus on major secondary roads (routes numbered 600 and higher) with vital emergency and public facilities or those with high traffic volumes. Low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets will be treated after higher-priority routes are completed and additional resources are available.
