The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has issued a travel advisory for parts of the state as it braces for hazardous winter weather beginning Sunday evening. With forecasts indicating heavy snowfall, VDOT is recommending against travel from Sunday afternoon through Monday.
According to updates from the National Weather Service, snow is expected to accumulate significantly across Virginia, particularly impacting Northern Virginia, Winchester, Harrisonburg, Fredericksburg, and parts of Central Virginia. Snowfall could reach between 5 to 12 inches, with the potential for localized areas experiencing rates of up to one inch per hour. This alarming forecast prompted VDOT to mobilize nearly 3,000 pieces of equipment for snow removal operations throughout the region.
“The intensity of the storm will produce conditions...to make roadways passable,” VDOT officials stated. The department emphasized the urgency of the situation, advising travelers to refrain from making unnecessary trips during this dangerous weather event. Their message is clear: keeping the roads clear for snow removal operations is of utmost priority.
Conditions are anticipated to deteriorate rapidly beginning between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Sunday, with snow tapering off early Tuesday morning. “We have over 14,000 lane miles to take care of...may take several passes to make the roads passable,” said a VDOT spokesperson. The widespread impact of this winter storm reinforces the necessity for the public to take the advisory seriously.
VDOT's travel advisory cited not only snow but also the potential for mixed precipitation, including rain, sleet, and freezing rain, which adds to the treacherous driving conditions. They reiterated, “Having fewer cars on the road will help to keep everyone safe...allow crews to perform their jobs more effectively.” motorists are being warned to expect significant delays and poor visibility by Monday morning, making traveling particularly risky.
Several regions have already begun to feel the storm's effect, with road conditions deteriorated rapidly. “Winter weather has already moved...road conditions are deteriorated rapidly,” VDOT noted. They have enacted their priorities for snow removal, which includes focusing first on the Interstate Highway System and limited-access roadways before addressing primary and secondary roads.
The upcoming storm has also prompted emergency action from several local school systems and public facilities. Many schools are preemptively closing, including systems across Arlington and the District of Columbia, which indicates the seriousness with which officials are treating this weather threat. Meanwhile, the northern portion of the George Washington Parkway has also announced it will close effective late Sunday afternoon.
Travelers who must be on the roads are urged to check real-time road conditions using VDOT’s 511 services, whether through their mobile app or website, which provide comprehensive information about traffic incidents and roadway conditions. If travel cannot be avoided, drivers are advised to prepare for extensive delays and extremely hazardous conditions.
VDOT's winter weather protocols advise motorists to remain vigilant and informed about changing weather conditions and potential travel disruptions. The agency plans for substantial snow removal operations, which could last several days due to the anticipated snow accumulation and widespread impacts of the storm. Authorities remind everyone to prioritize safety and allow sufficient time for snow clearance before venturing onto the roads.
While the forecast may be disheartening for those who need to travel, authorities stress the importance of adhering to advisories and waiting until conditions improve for any non-essential travel, illustrating how imperative these precautions are to mitigate the risk posed by severe weather.