Old Dominion News

Snowfall has created slick road conditions in the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands. Up to two inches of snow have accumulated since early Wednesday morning, February 19, with much of it affecting the southern valley and higher elevations. The snowfall is expected to persist into the evening. Temperatures will remain below freezing on Wednesday night and Thursday, potentially leading to icy conditions even on treated roads.

The situation is expected to worsen in southern and eastern Virginia, where up to a foot of snow is anticipated. Travelers are advised to avoid these areas until after the winter storm subsides.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is actively plowing and treating roads in its 11-county Staunton District. As of late Wednesday morning, Interstate 64 has minor conditions in Alleghany, Rockbridge, and Augusta counties; Interstate 66 remains clear in Warren County; Interstate 81 has minor conditions in Rockbridge, Augusta, Rockingham, and Shenandoah counties but is clear in Frederick County.

Primary roads show moderate conditions in Bath County and minor conditions across several other counties including Alleghany and Rockbridge. Secondary roads also exhibit varying degrees of condition severity across different counties.

For those who must travel, VDOT recommends checking local weather sources and road conditions at 511Virginia before departure. The updated website for 511Virginia offers traffic cameras, crash locations, weather updates, and more. It can be accessed at https://511.vdot.virginia.gov/ or via mobile apps for Android and iOS devices.

VDOT's priority for snow removal starts with the Interstate Highway System followed by primary roads with vital emergency facilities or high traffic volumes. Low-volume secondary roads will be addressed once higher-priority routes are cleared.

Additional information can be found on VDOT's website: https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/. Their Customer Service Center operates around the clock every day of the year through their website or by calling 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623).

VDOT's Staunton District serves multiple counties including Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany, and Bath. Social media updates can be followed via @VaDOTStaunton on X (Twitter) or through VDOT’s statewide accounts on Facebook and other platforms.