Blowing snow causing hazardous driving conditions

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4:59 p.m. Wednesday

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While the snow has stopped, high winds are blowing snow onto roadways and creating drifts. The Virginia Department of Transportation is uring residents to stay off the roads this evening.

Area road conditions:
 
Interstate 66 - Minor conditions in Warren County.
 
Interstate 81 - Minor conditions in Frederick and Shenandoah counties.
 
Primary roads - Severe conditions in Clarke County.  Severe to moderate conditions in Frederick County.  Moderate conditions in Warren county. Moderate to minor conditions in Shenandoah county.
 
Secondary roads - Severe condition in Shenandoah, Frederick, Clarke and Warren counties. 
 

Shenandoah County update

The Red Cross emergency shelter set up at Peter Muhlenberg Middle School has been closed. The county's Emergency Operations Center will remain open. The number is 540-459-6167.

2:07 p.m. Wednesday

Several accidents have been reported on Interstate 81 in Shenandoah and Frederick counties today.

The latest accident, at mile marker 291 in Shenandoah County, closed the north left and right lanes. Strasburg Police said the highway would be closed for the next few hours.

Traffic was diverted from I-81 at Toms Brook exit 291 onto U.S. Route 11 and then back onto I-81 at exit 298.

Blizzard warning

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning through 7 tonight for Winchester, Front Royal, Frederick, Warren, Clarke, Charles, Loudoun, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Parke, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford, King George, northern Fauquier, southern Fauquier, Berkeley, Jefferson, the District of Columbia, Waldorf, Front Royal, Leesburg, Warrenton, Martinsburg and Charles Town.

Whiteout conditions are expected as winds increase to 20 to 30 mph with gusts around 45 mph. This area is expected to receive 6 to 12 inches of snow. Drifts up to 4 feet are possible.

A winter storm warning is in effect through 4 p.m. today for Shenandoah, Frederick, Page, Greene, Madison and Rockingham counties as well as the cities of Harrisonburg and Winchester. This area is expected to receive 5 to 9 inches of snow through this afternoon. Winds will increase to 20 to 30 mph to near 40 mph. Blowing and drifting snow will reduce visibility to between one-quarter to one-half of a mile at times and will produce near-blizzard conditions.

The NWS warns that the combination of snow and strong winds will make travel hazardous:

"A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions are occurring. Do not venture outside. This is a life threatening situation for anyone who becomes stranded."

View the latest unofficial snow totals

1:10 p.m. Wednesday

Winchester updates: All Winchester Parks and Recreation evening programs have been canceled today. Transit, refuse/recycling collections have been canceled. Today's Board of Zoning Appeals public hearing has been rescheduled to 4 p.m. Feb. 24.

12:31 p.m. Wednesday

Apple Blossom Mall in Winchester is closed today.

Road conditions in some areas are now being listed as severe:

Frederick County

• I-66W Mile marker 0.0 Mile marker 0.5 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 11:54 AM
• I-81N Mile marker 298.7 Mile marker 324.9 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 11:54 AM
• I-81S Mile marker 298.8 Mile marker 325.0 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 11:54 AM
• Primary From To Condition Reason Last Update
• US-11S Valley Pike; US-11N County/City/Town Line: WEST VIRGINIA STATE LINE Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• US-50E County/City/Town Line: WEST VIRGINIA STATE LINE County/City/Town Line: FREDERICK CL-CLARKE CL Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• US-50W County/City/Town Line: WEST VIRGINIA STATE LINE Mile marker 23.4 Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• US-522N County/City/Town Line: WARREN - FREDERICK COUNTY LINE Crossover; N Frederick Pike; County/City/Town Line: WEST VIRGINIA Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• US-522S Mile marker 125.1 Mile marker 159.6 Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• VA-127E County/City/Town Line: WEST VIRGINIA STATE LINE N Frederick Pike; US-522S Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• VA-259N County/City/Town Line, VIRGINIA STATE LINE Carpers Pike; Northwestern Pike; US-50E Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• VA-277E Fairfax St; Valley Pike; US-11N/S; Rt. 631E/W (Frederick County) Lord Fairfax Hwy; Stonewall Jackson Hwy; Winchester Rd; US-340N,; US-340N/S; US-522N; County/City/Town Line,RT 522 WARREN/FREDRK MAINT BK Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• VA-37N Hillandale Ln; Tasker Rd; Rt. 847N/S (Frederick County); Rt. 642N/S (Frederick County) Martinsburg Pike; US-11N Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• VA-7E Berryville Ave; I 81 S County/City/Town Line: FREDRICK CO/CLARKE CL Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• VA-7W the ramp from I-81N Burnt Factory Rd; Rt. 659E/W (Frederick County);MID/BURNT FACTORY ROAD Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM

Clarke County

• BUS VA-7E Harry Byrd Hwy; FR-729E/W; VA-7E Harry Byrd Hwy; VA-7E Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:03 PM
• BUS VA-7W Harry Byrd Hwy; FR-729E/W; VA-7E Harry Byrd Hwy; VA-7E Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:03 PM
• US-17N Mile marker 241.5 Mile marker 251.4 Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:03 PM
• US-17S Federal St; John S Mosby Hwy; County/City/Town Line,FAUQUIER CL/CLARKE CL/LOUDOUN CL County/City/Town Line: FREDERICK CL-CLARKE CL Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:03 PM
• US-340N Lord Fairfax Hwy; Stonewall Jackson Hwy; US-522N; VA-277E/W, US-340S; County/City/Town Line,RT 522 WARREN/FREDRK MAINT BK County/City/Town Line, VIRGINIA STATE LINE Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:03 PM
• US-340S Stonewall Jackson Hwy; Winchester Rd; US-522N; US-340N, US-522N; County/City/Town Line,RT 522 WARREN/FREDRK MAINT BK Lord Fairfax Hwy; County/City/Town Line, VIRGINIA STATE LINE Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:03 PM
• VA-255N John Mosby Hwy; Red Gate Rd; Rt. 624N/S (Clarke County); US-50E, US-17N/S Lord Fairfax Hwy; US-340N/S Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:03 PM
• VA-255S John Mosby Hwy; Red Gate Rd; Rt. 624N/S (Clarke County); US-50E, US-17N/S Lord Fairfax Hwy; US-340N/S Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:03 PM
• VA-7E County/City/Town Line: FREDRICK CO/CLARKE CL Blueridge Mountain Rd; Rt. 601N/S (Clarke County); County/City/Town Line: MT WEATHER RD Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:03 PM
• VA-7W Mile marker 5.6 Snickersville Tpke Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:03 PM
• All secondary routes Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:03 PM
• Bridges and Ramps Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:03 PM

Shenandoah County

• I-81N Mile marker 263.9 Mile marker 298.9 Minor icy patches 02/10/2010 12:30 PM
• I-81S Mile marker 263.9 Mile marker 299.0 Minor icy patches 02/10/2010 12:30 PM
• Primary From To Condition Reason Last Update
• US-11N County/City/Town Line: SHENANDOAH CL/ NEW MARKET/ROCKINGHAM CL County/City/Town Line: WARREN CL/SHENANDOAH COUNTY LINE Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• US-211E N Congress St; US-11N/S County/City/Town Line: PAGE CL/SHENANDOAH CL Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• VA-185E S Ox Rd; Stoney Creek Rd; Rt. 686N/S (Shenandoah County); Rt. 675E/W (Shenandoah County), Rt. 686N/S (Shenandoah County) Old Valley Pike; S Main St; US-11N/S Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• VA-211W County/City/Town Line: NEW MARKET County/City/Town Line: SHENANDOAH CL/ROCKINGHAM CL Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• VA-263E Saint George Camp Ln; Shrine Mont Cir; Rt. 659E/W (Shenandoah County) Main St; Rt. 698N/S (Shenandoah County); US-11N/S Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• VA-292E the ramp from and to I-81S Main St; US-11N/S Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• VA-42N County/City/Town Line: SHENANDOAH CL/ROCKINGHAM CL E Reservoir Rd; S Main St; US-11N/S; City Rt. 7N/S (Town of Woodstock) Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• VA-55E County/City/Town Line: SHENANDOAH CL/FREDERICK CL County/City/Town Line: WARREN CL/SHEN CL Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• VA-55W John Marshall Hwy; County/City/Town Line: SHENANDOAH CL/FREDERICK CL County/City/Town Line: WARREN CL/SHEN CL Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• All secondary routes Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM
• Bridges and Ramps Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 10:42 AM

Warren County

• I-66E Mile marker 0.0 Mile marker 14.7 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 09:35 AM
• I-66W Mile marker 0.0 Mile marker 14.7 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 09:35 AM
• I-81N Mile marker 299.0 Mile marker 300.1 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 09:35 AM
• I-81S Mile marker 299.1 Mile marker 300.1 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 09:35 AM
• Primary From To Condition Reason Last Update
• US-340N County/City/Town Line: PAGE CL/WARREN CL Lord Fairfax Hwy; Stonewall Jackson Hwy; US-522N; VA-277E/W, US-340S; County/City/Town Line,RT 522 WARREN/FREDRK MAINT BK Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:22 PM
• US-340S County/City/Town Line: PAGE CL/WARREN CL Lord Fairfax Hwy; Stonewall Jackson Hwy; US-522S; VA-277E/W Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:22 PM
• US-522N County/City/Town Line: WARREN CL/RAPP CL Lord Fairfax Hwy; US-340N/S; VA-277E/W, US-340S; County/City/Town Line,RT 522 WARREN/FREDRK MAINT BK Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:22 PM
• US-522S County/City/Town Line: WARREN CL/RAPP CL Lord Fairfax Hwy; US-340S; VA-277E/W Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:22 PM
• VA-55E County/City/Town Line: WARREN CL/SHEN CL Fiery Run Rd; Freezeland Rd; Rt. 638N/S (Warren County) Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:22 PM
• VA-55W County/City/Town Line: WARREN CL/SHEN CL Fiery Run Rd; Freezeland Rd; Rt. 638N/S (Warren County) Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:22 PM
• VA-79N John Marshall Hwy; Statler Blvd; VA-55E/W the ramp to and from I-66W Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:22 PM
• VA-79S John Marshall Hwy; Statler Blvd; VA-55E/W the ramp to and from I-66W Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:22 PM
• Secondary From To Condition Reason Last Update
• Rt. 624N (Warren County) Howellsville Rd; Rt. 643E/W (Warren County) Fairground Rd; Rt. 661N/S (Warren County) Closed Flood 02/10/2010 09:09 AM
• Rt. 624S (Warren County) Howellsville Rd; Rt. 643E/W (Warren County) Fairground Rd; Rt. 661N/S (Warren County) Closed Flood 02/10/2010 09:09 AM
• All other secondary routes Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:22 PM
• Bridges and Ramps Severe deep snow or ice 02/10/2010 12:22 PM

12:23 p.m. Wednesday
The Frederick County Fire & Rescue department opened a community shelter at James Wood Middle School on Amherst Street on Tuesday night. Call 540-678-3911 for shelter information or if you need transportation to the shelter.

10:45 a.m. Wednesday

The Virginia Department of Transportation reports that strong winds in Northern Shenandoah Valley are pushing snow back onto plowed roads, and that visibility is very poor. Work crews are focusing on keeping Interstate 81 and primary roads passable in Frederick and Shenandoah counties. I-81's condition now is moderate, meaning snow and/or ice are covering a major portion of the highway.

VDOT also reports that primary and secondary roads in Frederick County are in severe condition and that some roads are impassable. Shenandoah County primary and secondary roads are in moderate condition.

Interstate 66 in Warren County is in moderate condition with snow and/or ice covering the highway, but passable with caution.

Road conditions, 8:09 a.m. Wednesday

Frederick County

• I-66W Mile marker 0.0 Mile marker 0.5 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:33 AM


• I-81N Mile marker 298.7 Mile marker 324.9 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:33 AM


• I-81S Mile marker 298.8 Mile marker 325.0 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:33 AM


• Primary From To Condition Reason Last Update


• US-11S Valley Pike; US-11N County/City/Town Line: WEST VIRGINIA STATE LINE Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 04:59 AM


• US-50E County/City/Town Line: WEST VIRGINIA STATE LINE County/City/Town Line: FREDERICK CL-CLARKE CL Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 04:59 AM


• US-50W County/City/Town Line: WEST VIRGINIA STATE LINE Mile marker 23.4 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 04:59 AM


• US-522N County/City/Town Line: WARREN - FREDERICK COUNTY LINE Crossover; N Frederick Pike; County/City/Town Line: WEST VIRGINIA Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 04:59 AM


• US-522S Mile marker 125.1 Mile marker 159.6 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 04:59 AM


• VA-127E County/City/Town Line: WEST VIRGINIA STATE LINE N Frederick Pike; US-522S Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 04:59 AM


• VA-259N County/City/Town Line, VIRGINIA STATE LINE Carpers Pike; Northwestern Pike; US-50E Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 04:59 AM


• VA-277E Fairfax St; Valley Pike; US-11N/S; Rt. 631E/W (Frederick County) Lord Fairfax Hwy; Stonewall Jackson Hwy; Winchester Rd; US-340N,; US-340N/S; US-522N; County/City/Town Line,RT 522 WARREN/FREDRK MAINT BK Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 04:59 AM


• VA-37N Hillandale Ln; Tasker Rd; Rt. 847N/S (Frederick County); Rt. 642N/S (Frederick County) Martinsburg Pike; US-11N Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 04:59 AM


• VA-7E Berryville Ave; I 81 S County/City/Town Line: FREDRICK CO/CLARKE CL Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 04:59 AM


• VA-7W the ramp from I-81N Burnt Factory Rd; Rt. 659E/W (Frederick County);MID/BURNT FACTORY ROAD Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 04:59 AM

Clarke County

• BUS VA-7E Harry Byrd Hwy; FR-729E/W; VA-7E Harry Byrd Hwy; VA-7E Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:56 AM


• BUS VA-7W Harry Byrd Hwy; FR-729E/W; VA-7E Harry Byrd Hwy; VA-7E Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:56 AM


• US-17N Mile marker 241.5 Mile marker 251.4 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:56 AM


• US-17S Federal St; John S Mosby Hwy; County/City/Town Line,FAUQUIER CL/CLARKE CL/LOUDOUN CL County/City/Town Line: FREDERICK CL-CLARKE CL Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:56 AM


• US-340N Lord Fairfax Hwy; Stonewall Jackson Hwy; US-522N; VA-277E/W, US-340S; County/City/Town Line,RT 522 WARREN/FREDRK MAINT BK County/City/Town Line, VIRGINIA STATE LINE Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:56 AM


• US-340S Stonewall Jackson Hwy; Winchester Rd; US-522N; US-340N, US-522N; County/City/Town Line,RT 522 WARREN/FREDRK MAINT BK Lord Fairfax Hwy; County/City/Town Line, VIRGINIA STATE LINE Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:56 AM


• VA-255N John Mosby Hwy; Red Gate Rd; Rt. 624N/S (Clarke County); US-50E, US-17N/S Lord Fairfax Hwy; US-340N/S Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:56 AM


• VA-255S John Mosby Hwy; Red Gate Rd; Rt. 624N/S (Clarke County); US-50E, US-17N/S Lord Fairfax Hwy; US-340N/S Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:56 AM


• VA-7E County/City/Town Line: FREDRICK CO/CLARKE CL Blueridge Mountain Rd; Rt. 601N/S (Clarke County); County/City/Town Line: MT WEATHER RD Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:56 AM


• VA-7W Mile marker 5.6 Snickersville Tpke Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:56 AM

Shenandoah County

• I-81N Mile marker 263.9 Mile marker 298.9 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:41 AM


• I-81S Mile marker 263.9 Mile marker 299.0 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:41 AM


• Primary From To Condition Reason Last Update


• US-11N County/City/Town Line: SHENANDOAH CL/ NEW MARKET/ROCKINGHAM CL County/City/Town Line: WARREN CL/SHENANDOAH COUNTY LINE Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 07:59 AM


• US-211E N Congress St; US-11N/S County/City/Town Line: PAGE CL/SHENANDOAH CL Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 07:59 AM


• VA-185E S Ox Rd; Stoney Creek Rd; Rt. 686N/S (Shenandoah County); Rt. 675E/W (Shenandoah County), Rt. 686N/S (Shenandoah County) Old Valley Pike; S Main St; US-11N/S Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 07:59 AM


• VA-211W County/City/Town Line: NEW MARKET County/City/Town Line: SHENANDOAH CL/ROCKINGHAM CL Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 07:59 AM


• VA-263E Saint George Camp Ln; Shrine Mont Cir; Rt. 659E/W (Shenandoah County) Main St; Rt. 698N/S (Shenandoah County); US-11N/S Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 07:59 AM


• VA-292E the ramp from and to I-81S Main St; US-11N/S Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 07:59 AM


• VA-42N County/City/Town Line: SHENANDOAH CL/ROCKINGHAM CL E Reservoir Rd; S Main St; US-11N/S; City Rt. 7N/S (Town of Woodstock) Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 07:59 AM


• VA-55E County/City/Town Line: SHENANDOAH CL/FREDERICK CL County/City/Town Line: WARREN CL/SHEN CL Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 07:59 AM


• VA-55W John Marshall Hwy; County/City/Town Line: SHENANDOAH CL/FREDERICK CL County/City/Town Line: WARREN CL/SHEN CL Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 07:59 AM

Warren County

• I-66E Mile marker 0.0 Mile marker 14.7 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:36 AM


• I-66W Mile marker 0.0 Mile marker 14.7 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:36 AM


• I-81N Mile marker 299.0 Mile marker 300.1 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:36 AM


• I-81S Mile marker 299.1 Mile marker 300.1 Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:36 AM


• Primary From To Condition Reason Last Update


• US-340N County/City/Town Line: PAGE CL/WARREN CL Lord Fairfax Hwy; Stonewall Jackson Hwy; US-522N; VA-277E/W, US-340S; County/City/Town Line,RT 522 WARREN/FREDRK MAINT BK Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:52 AM


• US-340S County/City/Town Line: PAGE CL/WARREN CL Lord Fairfax Hwy; Stonewall Jackson Hwy; US-522S; VA-277E/W Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:52 AM


• US-522N County/City/Town Line: WARREN CL/RAPP CL Lord Fairfax Hwy; US-340N/S; VA-277E/W, US-340S; County/City/Town Line,RT 522 WARREN/FREDRK MAINT BK Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:52 AM


• US-522S County/City/Town Line: WARREN CL/RAPP CL Lord Fairfax Hwy; US-340S; VA-277E/W Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:52 AM


• VA-55E County/City/Town Line: WARREN CL/SHEN CL Fiery Run Rd; Freezeland Rd; Rt. 638N/S (Warren County) Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:52 AM


• VA-55W County/City/Town Line: WARREN CL/SHEN CL Fiery Run Rd; Freezeland Rd; Rt. 638N/S (Warren County) Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:52 AM


• VA-79N John Marshall Hwy; Statler Blvd; VA-55E/W the ramp to and from I-66W Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:52 AM


• VA-79S John Marshall Hwy; Statler Blvd; VA-55E/W the ramp to and from I-66W Moderate snow or ice 02/10/2010 06:52 AM


• Secondary From To Condition Reason Last Update


• Rt. 624N (Warren County) Howellsville Rd; Rt. 643E/W (Warren County) Fairground Rd; Rt. 661N/S (Warren County) Closed Flood 02/09/2010 09:53 PM


• Rt. 624S (Warren County) Howellsville Rd; Rt. 643E/W (Warren County) Fairground Rd; Rt. 661N/S (Warren County) Closed Flood 02/09/2010 09:53 PM

School closings

Lord Fairfax Community College campuses are closed today and will be closed on Thursday

Shenandoah County Public Schools will be closed the rest of this week. Monday will be a regular school day.

Clarke County Public Schools are closed the rest of the week, and evening activities through Friday are canceled.

Warren County Public Schools will be closed for the remainder of the week.

Frederick County Public Schools also will be closed the remainder of the week. Monday, Feb. 15 has been scheduled as a regular school day. The day had been scheduled as a holiday.

Page County Public Schools will be closed Wednesday.

Shenandoah Valley Christian Academy will be closed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.