Forecast calls for snowfall Sunday through Tuesday with winter storm accumulation estimates up to 10 inches; single-digit lows all next week
~ PVN staff report
LURAY, Jan. 3 — The first big snowfall of the winter is set to blanket the Page Valley over the next few days with some accumulation estimates reaching 10 inches. With flurries on Friday across the area, the forecast calls for a 100-percent chance of precipitation on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday — and that snow and freezing rain may stick around for a while. Lows will dip into the teens over the weekend, but most of next week will see lows in the single digits and highs mostly staying below the freezing point.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is currently in snow prep-mode. Crews in the VDOT Staunton District — which serves the counties of Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath — started pretreating primary and heavily traveled secondary roads roadways on Friday. Pretreatment will conclude on Saturday, including the interstate system. Drivers are asked to give crews plenty of room as they apply the brine mixture to the road surfaces. Pretreatment is expected in many areas of Virginia on Saturday, so allow extra time in travel and expect to see trucks out completing this work.
Just after 5 p.m. on Friday, Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency for the coming winter storm.
“I am declaring a state of emergency for the incoming winter storm currently forecasted to impact Virginia starting Sunday, and I’m encouraging all Virginians, visitors, and travelers to stay alert, monitor the weather forecast, and prepare now for any potential impacts,” said Governor Youngkin. “Given the current projected size of the storm, if your post-holiday travel plans have you leaving Sunday, I encourage you to adjust those plans to leave on Saturday. If you find yourself needing to be on the roadways, please heed any warnings and make sure you are keeping yourselves and others safe. Our pre-treating preparations are underway and substantial state and local resources will continue to actively monitor the forecast and respond through the weekend.”
Shenandoah National Park announced on Thursday that all of Skyline Drive will close at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4 due to the winter storm. For future alerts in the national park, drive status, and important safety messages, text SHENALERTS to 888777 to receive updates via text.
Page County Public Schools were expecting to welcome students back to class on Monday, Jan. 6 after a two-week winter break. However, classes are unlikely Monday and questionable Tuesday. Delays throughout the rest of the week are also likely due to sub-freezing temperatures. Sunday’s high could reach 34 degrees, but the rest of the week is forecast for the mid- to upper-20s. Overnight lows will dip into the upper teens on Saturday and Sunday, and be in the mid-20s on Monday. The rest of the week, however, is expected to see lows range from 10 degrees down to zero. Parents and students should follow the school system’s text/phone alert system, as well as the website’s live feed, for cancellation or delay announcements. Dr. Antonia Fox, superintendent, is not expected to make a final decision on Monday’s schedule until Sunday evening.
There is also a strong chance that the Page County Board of Supervisor’s organizational work session set for 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 6 could be rescheduled. On the agenda, the board is planning to choose a vice chair and second vice chair for 2025 (likely to be District 1 supervisor Keith Guzy and District 2 supervisor Allen Louderback, respectively), approve the 2025 meeting schedule, re-adopt the rules of procedure, and review potential zoning ordinance amendments.
VDOT is labeling the event a “high impact winter storm.” Snowfall is expected to begin in the late afternoon or evening hours of Sunday, Jan. 5 and continue through Monday, Jan. 6. Forecasts are also showing precipitation on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Following the winter storm, there’s also currently a 20-percent chance of additional snow next Friday, Jan. 10.
Tips for public travel include pre-planning or changing plans to ensure travel occurs around a snow event, not during the event. Monitor the weather forecast closely, because weather systems can change. Also monitor the weather along any travel route for possible changes. Conditions can vary greatly from one end of the Commonwealth of Virginia to the other.
Check 511 at its updated URL and website: https://511.vdot.virginia.gov/. The 511 site has traffic cameras, current crash locations, weather conditions and more. The public can sign-up for 511 alerts to be sent to their personal device. On the VDOT 511 website roads with snow and ice 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.
Another information source is the VDOT website at https://www.vdot.virginia.gov. Type in “winter weather” in the search bar located in the middle of the home page. Follow the links to the winter page for driving tips, snow removal procedures, travel kit items and additional resources.
If travel is necessary during winter weather be alert for elevated roadways such as bridges and overpasses that freeze first. The traveling public should also be alert for falling tree limbs and tree debris on roadways from heavy wet snow or ice.
When the winter weather arrives the VDOT crews will be out and ready to get to work, plowing and treating roads.
Road-clearing priorities are as follows:
- The Interstate Highway System and limited-access roadways are our first priority.
- Primary roads and major secondary roads with vital emergency and public facilities, or those with high-traffic volumes, will be cleared along with interstate and limited-access roadways as resources allow.
- Low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets will be treated after higher-priority routes are completed and additional resources are available.
To view a text listing of weather road conditions go to https://511.vdot.virginia.gov/, look at the blue bar on the top of the page and click on “Road Reports” and then click on “Road Conditions”. Look at the pull down box that lists all jurisdictions. In this box individual counties can be chosen to view. Apps for Virginia’s 511 system are also available for android and iOS devices.
If having to travel during the storm, drivers are reminded to do the following:
- Use headlights. Increasing your visibility helps you to avoid slick and dangerous spots on the road, as well as helps other drivers see you better.
- Slow your speed. Though state police works closely with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to identify problem areas on Virginia’s highways during a winter storm, drivers still must drive for conditions. Slowing your speed gives you more time to safely react and avoid a crash. Drive your vehicle based on your ability to properly maintain control of your vehicle.
- Don’t tailgate. You need increased stopping distance on slick road surfaces. Give yourself more space between vehicles traveling ahead of you to avoid rear-end collisions.
- Buckle up. Most crashes that occur during winter weather are caused by vehicles sliding into guardrails, off the road or other vehicles. Wearing your seat belt protects you from being thrown around the inside of your vehicle and suffering serious injury in a crash.
- Check your vehicle. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order for the conditions. Fill up the tank in advance. Check windshield wipers, windshield wiper fluid, tire tread, battery life, etc.
- Don’t leave home without a window scraper, blanket, bottled water, snack, cell phone charger and flashlight.
Virginia State Police will be adjusting the number of state troopers and supervisors working the roads Sunday and Monday because of the potential storm impacts.
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).
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