RICHMOND, Va. — Two weeks after a winter storm dumped two feet of snow on parts of Virginia, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is once again preparing for a winter storm.
“Crews are mobilizing in most areas of the state to prepare for winter weather beginning later Monday through Tuesday morning that will bring rain changing to snow, freezing temperatures and strong wind gusts,” a VDOT spokesperson Marshall Herman said. “Accumulating snow is expected in western parts of the state, including the western regions of Northern Virginia. Motorists should be cautious this afternoon and tomorrow morning as rain moves in with freezing temperatures overnight, especially west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.”
Monday night’s winter weather is not expected to bring much accumulating snow to Richmond.
Light rain will change to light snow in some places as colder air moves in overnight. Surface temperatures should stay above freezing in most locations, limiting any light accumulation to grassy surfaces.
Occasional snow showers are possible during the day Tuesday, but amounts will be very light and the snow will likely be mixed with rain (particularly east of I-95). Temperatures will rise into the low and mid 40s during the afternoon.
Unlike the previous storm, VDOT will not be able to put an anti-icing solution on most roads before the snow falls.
“VDOT is applying anti-icing materials where effective, mainly on roads in the western part of the state,” Herman said. “However, anti-icing operations will not take place on most Virginia roadways due to rain occurring before snowfall. The combination of rain and warm pavement washes away the treatment, making it ineffective. VDOT will continue to monitor this storm and adjust resources as needed.”
