Staunton, Virginia – Drivers along the I-81 corridor could see roads turn slick after 1 p.m. Monday as snow and freezing rain move into the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge, threatening the evening and early Tuesday commutes.
According to the National Weather Service in Baltimore/Washington, a Winter Weather Advisory runs from 1 p.m. Monday until 7 a.m. Tuesday for Augusta and Rockingham counties and the Central Virginia Blue Ridge. Forecasters expect up to 1 inch of snow and sleet in most areas, with locally 2 inches possible along ridge tops. Ice accumulations may reach a light glaze in the valleys and up to two tenths of an inch on higher elevations.
Snow will spread into Staunton, Waynesboro and Harrisonburg during the afternoon but may struggle to stick in lower elevations at first. By evening, sleet and primarily freezing rain are expected to take over, increasing the risk of icy bridges along I-64, I-81 and U.S. 33. Ridge roads and higher terrain could see the most significant icing overnight.
Motorists should slow down, increase following distance and check 511 for real-time road updates. Temperatures are forecast to rise above freezing Tuesday morning, allowing precipitation to change to rain before tapering off. Additional alerts could be issued if ice totals increase overnight.
