CULPEPER — Light snow or rain is falling across much of Central Virginia this morning and motorists traveling early are advised to use caution and be alert for the possibility of slick roads and patches of black ice. There are no reports of accumulating snow on any roads in the area. Fog is reported on Afton Mountain in Albemarle County with visibility between 200 and 500 feet; motorists who are traveling on Interstate 64 or Route 250 across Afton should reduce speed accordingly.

Less than one-half inch of snow is expected, mixed with or changing to rain to the south and east. Temperatures are forecast to stay near or just below freezing until later this morning; that combination could create hazardous driving conditions in the early morning hours. Freezing conditions are most likely to occur in the western parts of Central Virginia, particularly on bridges and overpasses, entrance and exit ramps and crossovers as well as roads at higher elevations such as I-64 and Route 250 in Albemarle County, Route 33 in Greene County, Routes 211 and 522 in Rappahannock and I-66 and Route 50 in Fauquier County.

Crews from the Virginia Department of Transportation have been out overnight checking the region’s roads. They will continue to monitor road conditions and treat cold spots with sand and salt to improve traction and prevent precipitation from freezing on the road surface. Temperatures are forecast to rise above freezing later this morning and any precipitation later in the day Friday should fall as rain.

Travelers should keep updated on local road conditions and weather forecasts. That information can be found on the Web at www.511Virginia.org, or by dialing 511 from any telephone in Virginia.

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Page last modified: March 13, 2009