Virginia Urges Drivers to Stay Off Roads Amid Winter Storm

RICHMOND, Va. (WDBJ/VDOT Release) – As a winter storm continues to sweep through Virginia, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is urging motorists to avoid travel on Monday to allow snowplows to safely clear roads. The storm, which brought overnight snowfall and a mix of rain, freezing rain, and sleet, has created hazardous driving conditions across much of western and northern Virginia.

VDOT officials reported that most state-maintained roadways in affected regions are in moderate condition, with snow or ice covering major portions of the roads. Crews are working around the clock to remove snow and treat roads until they are passable. However, VDOT cautioned that snow removal operations take time, and travelers should not expect to see bare roads during or immediately after the storm.

“Due to the rate of snowfall, snowplows will have to make multiple passes to remove snow,” VDOT stated in a release. The department is responsible for clearing nearly 60,000 miles of state-maintained roads, with priority given to interstates and primary roads (numbered 1-599). Once these roads are passable, crews will move to lower-volume secondary roads and neighborhoods as equipment becomes available.

Interstates and primary roads are currently covered in snow or ice, with icy patches remaining in some areas. Precipitation and below-freezing temperatures are expected to continue throughout the morning, further complicating efforts. Low-volume secondary roads (numbered 600 and above) and neighborhood streets remain unplowed and untreated, covered in frozen snow and ice.

VDOT emphasized that travel should be avoided unless absolutely essential. Drivers who must travel are urged to use extreme caution and check roadway conditions using VDOT’s online tools, which provide real-time updates on road conditions, traffic incidents, construction, and weather. Information is also available by calling 511 while in Virginia.

For questions or to report hazardous road conditions, VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center can be reached by visiting their website or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623). Additional winter weather travel resources are available on VDOT’s dedicated winter weather page.