FREDERICKSBURG – Heavy snow is falling in the Fredericksburg area, Northern Neck, and upper Middle Peninsula. Drivers are asked to remain off the roads Monday for the duration of the winter storm, as travel is hazardous.

Interstate 95 and state-maintained primary roads are in moderate condition in the Fredericksburg region, with snow on major portions of the road. Low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets are mostly in severe condition, with complete snow coverage.

In the Northern Neck and upper Middle Peninsula, primary roads are in minor to moderate condition, and secondary roads are in moderate condition.

Primary roads in the Middle Peninsula counties of Gloucester and Mathews are in minor condition, with isolated slick spots and patches of snow coverage.

Heavy snow will continue falling across most of Fredericksburg District through midday Monday, limiting driver visibility. A wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain may mix in with snow, creating the potential for icy road surfaces. Then, another round of heavy snow is anticipated Monday evening.

VDOT crews are plowing roads in repeated passes to push as much snow as possible from the travel lanes and road shoulders on each sweep. Limiting traffic to emergency personnel and essential workers only while the storm continues will help VDOT crews remove as much snow as possible from the road’s footprint.

VDOT crews are mobilized at maximum levels and have more than 1,100 pieces of equipment available districtwide to plow snow and apply sand, salt, and treatment materials. Towing crews staged along I-95 and Route 1 can remove disabled vehicles and help clear crashes that may block travel lanes. Tree crews are ready to reopen roads blocked from downed trees and tree limbs. Heavy equipment is available to remove plowed and packed-down snow from intersections and crossovers.

Road Treatment and Plowing Priorities

VDOT is planning for a multi-day storm response with cold temperatures expected to remain throughout the week. Bare pavement during and immediately after the end of the storm should not be expected. Roads that carry the most traffic get top priority.

VDOT works to make interstates and most primary roads passable first. Primary routes are numbered 1 to 599, and Route 610 in Stafford. Crews also focus on major secondary roads (routes numbered 600 and higher) that connect to vital emergency and public facilities or those with high traffic volumes.

Low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets will be treated after higher-priority routes are completed and additional resources are available.

A road in “passable” condition is defined as:

  • An 8- to 10-foot-wide path that provides access for emergency vehicles
  • Driveable with extreme caution, but is snow-packed, and it is not bare pavement or plowed curb-to-curb
  • Crews will sand hills, curves, and intersections to help with traction

VDOT crews will work 24 hours a day, in 12-hour shifts, until all state-maintained roads are safe for travel.

Winter Weather Resources