SALEM – With winter weather forecasted to impact portions of southwestern Virginia on Saturday, January 18, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is advising motorists to expect possible slick or icy road conditions.
A difference in just a few degrees of air or ground temperatures will determine if ice or snow accumulates on roadways or not. Wintry precipitation could create slick roads and conditions could change rapidly.
If icing does occur, road conditions will improve as temperatures rise above freezing, so drivers are encouraged to monitor conditions and consider adjusting travel times.
In the days ahead of the storm, VDOT is watching the forecast and will be pre-treating interstates and selected major routes with brine to help with snow or ice removal operations.
Crews and contractors in impacted areas will mobilize on Friday night or Saturday morning and will monitor conditions to treat or plow roads as necessary. For ice events, snowplow operators apply chemicals for melting and crushed stone or other abrasives to provide traction.
Drivers should pay particular attention to bridges, overpasses, curves, shaded locations, higher elevations, cooler spots and elevated surfaces that may become icy before other areas.
Travelers are reminded that they can get real-time information on road conditions, traffic incidents and congestion on Virginia roads by using VDOT’s 511 free mobile app or the
www.511Virginia.org website and phone system, which can help travelers plan their routes accordingly.
The Salem District includes the counties of Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, and Roanoke.
