VDOT urges caution; winter weather advisory in effect

The wintery mix of precipitation forecasted to begin early Friday morning may cause slick roads in some areas of the Salem District. Drivers are encouraged to use caution if driving and to check road conditions. A difference in just a few degrees of air or ground temperatures will determine if ice accumulates on roadways or not. 

The Virginia Department of Transportation is mobilized to treat roads overnight if needed.  If ice starts to form on road surfaces, crews will spread a mixture of abrasives and salt.  The abrasives increase traction, and the salt helps melt the frozen precipitation and prevents it from bonding to the road surface.

During a freezing rain event, drivers should pay particular attention to cooler areas such as bridges, overpasses, ramps, higher elevations and shady spots where ice may form first.    

Before traveling, motorists can find current road conditions by calling 511 or visiting www.511Virginia.org.

To request road maintenance services, citizens can call VDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-367-ROAD (7623).

The Salem District includes the counties of Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Giles, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski and Roanoke.

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM FRIDAY TO MIDNIGHT EST FRIDAY NIGHT...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR FREEZING RAIN...SLEET...AND SOME SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM FRIDAY TO MIDNIGHT EST FRIDAY NIGHT.

* LOCATIONS...MAINLY NORTHEAST OF A RAINELLE...TO UNION...TO NEW CASTLE...TO FINCASTLE...TO BEDFORD LINE.

* HAZARD TYPES...MAIN HAZARD WILL BE FREEZING RAIN...WITH LESSER CONCERN FOR SLEET. SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 3000 FEET.

* ACCUMULATIONS...ICE ACCUMULATIONS OF 0.5 TO 0.15 INCH. ICE ACCUMULATIONS MOST SIGNIFICANT ACROSS GREENBRIER...BATH...ALLEGHANY...AND ROCKBRIDGE COUNTIES. SLEET ACCUMULATIONS LESS THAN 1.0 INCH. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES POSSIBLE FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 3000 FEET.

* TIMING...3 AM FRIDAY MORNING TO MIDNIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT. SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO THE FRIDAY MORNING COMMUTE POSSIBLE.

* IMPACTS...UNTREATED ROADS WILL BECOME ICE COVERED AND TREACHEROUS. ICE ACCUMULATIONS COULD BECOME SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO CAUSE SOME TREE LIMBS TO SNAP...RESULTING IN SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES.

* WINDS...SOUTHEAST 5 TO 10 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH AT THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS.

* TEMPERATURES...GENERALLY AROUND 30 DEGREES...EXCEPT 26 TO 28 IN THE GREENBRIER VALLEY...WARMING TO AROUND 32 DURING THE AFTERNOON OR EVENING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.