...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING
TO 7 AM EST MONDAY...
* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation. Total snow accumulations of 5
to 8 inches are expected, with up to 10 inches possible. Ice
accumulations of around one to two tenths of an inch are
expected. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph which may create
blizzard conditions at times, especially over the higher
terrain.
* WHERE...Central Virginia Blue Ridge and Northern Virginia Blue
Ridge, and Augusta, Page and Rockingham Counties.
* WHEN...From 10 AM this morning to 7 AM EST Monday.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous
conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow may fall at 1 to 3 inches per hour
late this afternoon into the night, resulting in nearly
impassable roads. Visibility may be reduced to a quarter mile or
less at times.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency.
When venturing outside, watch your first few steps taken on
steps, sidewalks, and driveways, which could be icy and slippery,
increasing your risk of a fall and injury.
Get the latest Storm Center information:
Central Shenandoah Valley Closings/Cancellations HERE
National Weather Service - Local Office HERE
John Wetherbee - Twitter
Dominion Power - Outage Map
Shenandoah Valley Electric Co-op Outage Map
Harrisonburg Electric Commission Outage Map
BARC Electric Co-op Outage Map
Rappahannock Electric Co-op Outage Map
Snow will change to sleet and freezing rain by late Sunday morning and Sunday afternoon. This increases the risk of power outages.
And, if you lose power, you can always listen to us with the iHeartRadio app.
From VDOT:
Snow, sleet and ice are approaching the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands on Sunday morning, January 16. Precipitation is expected to arrive shortly after dawn in the southern part of the region, and the winter storm will overspread the area by mid-day. Motorists should avoid all but emergency travel throughout the day.
The region, including Interstate 81, has terrain with steep grades that increase travel hazards during snow and ice events. This is especially true for truck traffic and it is important that trucks avoid the region, particularly I-81, on Sunday and into early Monday.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is mobilizing employees and contractors early Sunday morning throughout the 11-county Staunton District. Crews are pre-positioned in order to plow and treat roads as soon as conditions warrant. Wreckers are staged at several locations, and tree-removal crews have been notified for deployment as needed.
VDOT has a variety of traveler resources including Welcome Centers and Safety Rest Areas located throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Rest area locations can be found on the VDOT website at https://www.virginiadot.org/travel/map-rest-area.asp.
Road conditions and traffic cameras can be found on the VDOT 511 website at http://www.511Virginia.org, Roads with snow conditions will be marked minor, moderate, severe or closed.
Road condition definitions:
Closed – Road is closed to all traffic.
Severe – drifting or partially blocked road.
Moderate – snow or ice on major portions of the roadway.
Minor – bare pavement except for isolated spots of snow, ice or slush. Driving with caution is recommended.
For a text listing of winter weather road conditions go tohttp://www.511Virginia.org, look at the orange bar on the top of the page and click on “Text Views” and then click on “Road Condition Table”. Look at the pull down box that lists all jurisdictions. In this box individual counties can be chosen to view.
On the go? Then visit VDOT’sFree Virginia 511 Toolsto get your 511 app for android or iOS. Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511.
The VDOT Customer Service Center can be accessed through its mobile friendly website at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/. Agents are on site 24/7 every day of the year to assist the public. People can also call the VDOT Customer Service Center at 800-FOR- ROAD (800-367-7623).
The Staunton District Snow Page is on the VDOT website under Travel Center Snow Emergency Pages. The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton.
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