CULPEPER – Virginia Department of Transportation crews will continue working overnight across Central Virginia to finish clearing secondary roads and treating any reported icing conditions. Most roads were cleared of ice and snow on Sunday afternoon, when temperatures above freezing turned the precipitation to rain across much of the area and gave VDOT crews some help as they plowed and sanded the highways.

With precipitation predicted to continue until early Monday morning the possibility of freezing conditions remains and motorists should continue to be extremely cautious while traveling. Interstate 64 is clear but there is dense fog on Afton Mountain and motorists traveling from Central Virginia to the Shenandoah Valley via I-64 or Route 250 in Albemarle County, Route 33 in Greene County and Route 211 in Rappahannock County should anticipate reduced visibility near the mountain summits.

Across Central Virginia widely varying conditions were reported in the wake of the storm. They ranged from sleet and rain in Fluvanna and Louisa counties to heavy snow in the north. In Fauquier and Rappahannock counties, snow accumulations up to 7 ½ inches were reported. Crews there will complete plowing and applying abrasives on the secondary roads overnight. Culpeper County also reported 6 ½ inches of snow; crews are completing the clearing of secondary roads.

Farther south the snow totals are lighter, ranging from 4 inches in Madison County to less than 1 inch in eastern Louisa County. Light rain is falling across that area at 5 p.m. All roads in Fluvanna, Louisa, Albemarle and Greene counties are reported wet, although travelers may encounter isolated patches of snow and slush.

If you must be on the roads Sunday night or early Monday morning, allow plenty of extra time and expect to encounter icy conditions, especially in the early morning hours. Travelers should also observe the following winter driving tips:

· Make sure your vehicle is winter ready.

· Keep an emergency driving kit in your car and wear your seatbelt.

· Keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind other vehicles.

· Do not attempt to pass snowplows and stay at least 100 feet behind them.

· Be aware of potentially icy areas such as shady spots and bridges.

· When driving on ice, don’t slam on your brakes. Travel gently. Turn slowly. Sudden changes can cause your car to spin out of control.

· Don’t park along the street. Snow plow drivers can’t fully clear a road if cars are in their way.

· Motorists can get information on the latest road conditions, incidents and weather forecasts by calling 511 from any telephone in Virginia, or on the Web at www.511Virginia.org.



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Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.

Page last modified: Jan. 17, 2008