Old Dominion News

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is cautioning motorists against travel in western Virginia due to expected winter weather. The advisory applies from Tuesday, February 11, into Wednesday, February 12. The department suggests that drivers either adjust their travel plans before the storm begins or delay their trips until road conditions improve.

According to the National Weather Service, the forecast predicts a combination of snow and freezing rain for the region. Snowfall is anticipated to start early on Tuesday morning and transition into freezing rain throughout the day, affecting travel on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Roads are expected to be covered with snow and ice.

In preparation for the storm, VDOT crews and contractors started applying pretreatment to interstates and main roads today. Drivers are advised to give brine trucks ample space if encountered on the roads.

"VDOT crews and contractors will be working around the clock beginning with interstates and primary highways," states VDOT. Snow plow drivers will start clearing roads once snow accumulates to approximately two inches. In cases of freezing rain, they will apply chemicals and abrasives.

The department emphasizes that its first priority during any winter weather event is maintaining interstates, primary roads, and high-volume secondary routes. Equipment operators will make several passes over these major routes before attending to low-volume secondary roads, neighborhood streets, and unpaved roads once precipitation ceases and progress is made on main routes.