News Flash

Danville this morning set a record low temperature for Jan. 9 when the temperature reach minus-1 degree, according to the National Weather Service. The previous record was 6 degrees set on Jan. 9, 1970.

In addition, the temperature of minus-1 degree from today ties the third coldest temperature ever recorded. Danville recorded a temperature of minus-1 degree on Jan. 20, 1994.

The second coldest temperature ever recorded was minus-4 degrees on Jan. 22, 1985. The coldest temperature ever recorded was minus-5 degrees on Jan. 21, 1985.

Records for Danville date back to 1948.

For today, the National Weather Service forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies to start the day, and then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 28 degrees. Tonight, the low will be 12 degrees.

Lingering ice and snow on area roads and walkways will result in potentially hazardous travel. The National Weather Service warns that clear ice is not easy to see and can lead to accidents. Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing through Tuesday morning. Be alert for localized icy roadways and walkways until temperatures warm above freezing to melt the snow and ice.

On Tuesday, partly sunny skies are expected with a high of 39 degrees.

Danville Police report one vehicle accident overnight. The accident occurred when a vehicle was exiting South Main Street onto northbound Danville Expressway. The vehicle hit an icy patch and slid into a tractor trailer headed northbound. There were no injuries.

The Municipal Building and all other City administrative offices and the courthouse opened on regular schedules today. Danville Transit is operating on regular schedules and routes. Household refuse collection trucks also are operating today on their regular schedule.

However, Parks and Recreation has cancelled Optimist Basketball games scheduled for Monday at Squire Armory, as well as Optimist Basketball practices scheduled for Monday at the City Auditorium.

(UPDATE POSTED AT 6:30 P.M. SUNDAY)

National Weather Service warns of black ice

Here is the situation report as of 6 p.m. Sunday:

• The National Weather Service office in Blacksburg has issued a special weather statement regarding expected locally slippery travel conditions tonight due to the formation of black ice. According to the statement, partial melting of ice and snow on area roads and walkways will quickly refreeze tonight, resulting in the development of black ice. This type of nearly clear ice is not easy to discern, but can lead to locally slippery and potentially hazardous vehicular and pedestrian travel. Similar redevelopment of black ice is expected on Monday night as well.
• The National Weather Service reported a total snow accumulation of 8.8 inches, recorded from official measurements at the airport.
• Public Works crews have completed plowing residential streets. Residential streets that were plowed before temperatures dropped Saturday evening are in good condition. Residential streets that were plowed after temperatures dropped are in fair condition, with a layer of packed snow remaining on the surface. Overnight, Public Works will monitor street conditions and respond to calls of slick patches on road surfaces.
• Primary roads are in good condition, but motorists should be aware of the special weather statement issued by the National Weather Service,
• There are no power outages to report.
• Danville Regional Airport opened at 4:15 p.m.
• Danville Transit will operate Monday on regular schedules and routes.
• Household refuse collection trucks will operate Monday on their regular schedule.
• The Municipal Building and all other City administrative offices and the courthouse will open as normal on Monday.
• Closings and cancellations:
  • The African American Voices Author Talk Winter Series Featuring Melanie Roberts at Danville Public Library scheduled for Monday has been canceled.
  • Coates Recreation Center will be closed on Monday.

(UPDATE POSTED AT 10:30 A.M. SUNDAY)

Crews finishing plowing, sanding residential streets

Here is the latest winter storm situation report as of 10 a.m. Sunday:

• Public Works crews worked overnight and continue this morning plowing residential streets and spreading sand. We estimate all residential streets will be plowed and sanded by 3 p.m.
• Primary roads are in good condition. Residential streets that were plowed before temperatures dropped Saturday evening are in fair to good condition. Residential streets that were plowed after temperatures dropped remain covered with a layer of packed snow.
• When plowing is finished, a full crew will remain on duty this afternoon to apply sand. Overnight, workers will be on duty to respond to calls.
• No power outages are reported at this time.
• Danville Regional Airport remains closed.
• Later today, a decision will be made on Danville Transit operations for Monday.

(UPDATE POSTED AT 1:45 P.M. SATURDAY)

Snow plows moving into residential streets

The City's snowplow crew has completed its work on the main thoroughfares. It is now working along collector streets, which connect residential neighborhoods to the main thoroughfares. An example would be Arnett Boulevard.

The crew will begin plowing in residential neighborhoods at 2:30 p.m. Typically, it takes 24 hours to make a pass through all residential streets. However, the heavier snow accumulation may require additional time to reach all streets.

In addition, temperatures are expected to fall into single digits overnight. When temperatures fall that low, plowing may become ineffective. A full crew will be on duty tonight. The crew will plow as long as temperatures allow for an effective snow removal operation. When plowing becomes ineffective, the crew will switch to a sand operation.

On Sunday, plowing and sanding will continue.

Residents and visitors are reminded that snowplows, when clearing streets, will create snow berms across driveways. Residents and visitors are responsible for removing these snow berms.

During winter storms, Public Works Department crews work a round-the-clock operation.

(UPDATE POSTED AT 8:30 A.M. SATURDAY) 

Danville Transit cancels fixed route service

The Danville Transit will not provide fixed route service today due to the heavy snow accumulation. Reserve A Ride buses are operating.

Here is a situation report as of 8:30 a.m. The report provides information on City of Danville response plans, emergency numbers, cancellations, etc.

• A winter storm warning remains in effect. The National Weather Service expects snowfall to continue until 12:30 p.m. At 7 a.m., the National Weather Service reported an accumulation of around 7 inches in Danville.
• Overnight, emergency dispatchers received seven calls of disabled vehicles. Residents and visitors should only travel in an emergency today. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you.
• Danville Police responded overnight to two motor vehicle crashes, one with minor injuries.
• As the snowfall ends today, blustery conditions will take over the area, with cold temperatures and increased winds. As a result, temperatures will remain below freezing through Monday.
• Any citizen in need of shelter should call the non-emergency number for our communication center. The number is 799-5111.
• Our snowplow crews worked overnight to clear major thoroughfares. Crews are prepared for a round-the-clock snow removal operation. In addition, due to the heavy snow accumulation, we are using five contract road graders to assist in snow removal from streets.
• Plowing continues only on the highest traffic volume roads until the end of the snow event. After the end of the snowfall and the primary streets are clear, we begin plowing industrial areas, and then to roadways that connect residential areas to the primary streets, and finally to residential areas. Generally, it takes 24 to 36 hours after the snow event has ended to plow all residential streets. We do not clear private streets and alleys.
• Residents and visitors should be not travel if possible. Not only is travel dangerous during a winter storm, but it also will pack the snow accumulation on the street and make the snow removal more difficult. Also, by staying off the streets, crews can clear streets more quickly.
• Residents and visitors also are advised that extreme cold temperatures are expected to arrive Saturday and remain through Monday. The high temperature each day will be below freezing. Overnight lows will be in the single digits. The snow accumulation on streets will freeze. Snowplow crews will plow residential streets, but might not be able to clear the snow accumulation to the pavement. Sand will be spread as needed.
• We ask our residents and visitors not to park, when possible, on the streets, eliminating the chance of snowplow operators damaging vehicles and allowing for a quicker plowing operation. Motorists are advised to limit travel and stay off the streets entirely if possible. Check for newspaper, radio and television bulletins for information on road conditions.
• Our power and light crews also are prepared for a round-the-clock response to any outages. Electric customers whose residence or business is without power should call Danville Utilities at (434) 773-8300 to report the outage.
• As of 9 a.m., there are no reported power outages. Overnight, 20 customers were without power on Hamlin Avenue from 4:30 a.m. to 6 a.m.. Six customers were without power on Reuben Court from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Both outages were due to fallen trees.
• When widespread outages occur, power and light line crews first are assigned to make repairs based on restoring power to the greatest number of customers in the shortest time. As lines are repaired and crews become available, they are assigned to areas with fewer outages.
• It is not always possible to determine how long a power outage will occur because of extent of damage; therefore, a customer using medical devices must make other arrangements in the event of a power outage and temporarily go to a location or medical facility that does have power.
• Residents and visitors should be aware that downed power lines are dangerous. Please call 9-1-1 immediately.
• Danville Regional Airport closed at 11:18 p.m. Friday due to the heavy snow accumulation.
• Danville Transit will not provide fixed route service today. Reserve A Ride buses are operating.
• Danville Public Library is closed today.
• All Parks and Recreation facilities normally open during the weekends are closed, including Coates Recreation Center, Glenwood Community Center and the Powerzone Fitness Center. Optimist basketball practice and cheerleading has been canceled. The Pickleball open gym on Sunday will be closed.
• The Cabin Fever Music Series scheduled for today has been postponed.
• The Winter Farmers’ Market has been canceled.

(UPDATE POSTED AT 1:30 A.M. SATURDAY)

Danville Transit delays fixed route service start

Danville Transit will operate Reserve A Ride and Handivan service today as normal beginning at 4 a.m.  The start of fixed-route service will be delayed until 10 a.m.

In addition, Danville Regional Airport is closed due to the snow accumulation.

(UPDATE POSTED AT 5:30 P.M. FRIDAY)

Snow accumulation total remains uncertain

The National Weather Service continues to expect a snow accumulation of four to six inches in the Danville area, beginning this evening through Saturday morning. If the storm intensifies rapidly, then the gradient will shift north and west, bringing another two to three inches of snow for a total accumulation of six to nine inches

If the storm moves offshore before intensifying, then the snow accumulation in the Danville area will be reduced to a total of three to four inches

The winter storm warning issued by the The National Weather Service for Danville takes effect at 7 p.m. and continues through 7 p.m. Saturday. The warning means severe weather conditions are expected. Travel will become dangerous. Only travel in an emergency. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you.

As the snowfall ends Saturday, blustery conditions will take over the area, with cold temperatures and increased winds. As a result, temperatures will remain below freezing through Monday.

Residents and visitors in need of a shelter or warming station should call the City’s non-emergency number: 799-5111. This line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Danville Transit will operate Reserve A Ride service tonight as usual. Road conditions will be monitored overnight. For Saturday, present plans call for Handivan and Reserve A Ride service to operate as normal beginning at 4 a.m. Fixed-route service will operate on snow routes. A decision will be made before 6 a.m. about whether to delay the start of fixed route service. This information will be posted on the Danville Transit website: www.danvilletransit.com.

Here is a situation report as of 5 p.m. The report provides information on City of Danville response plans, emergency numbers, cancellations, etc.

• Our street division crews expanded their brine operation. In addition to spreading brine on main thoroughfares, brine was spread on collector streets. Brine is a mixture of water and salt, on the road surface. The water in the brine evaporates, leaving the salt behind on the road. The salt breaks the bond between the snow and the roadway, and it therefore helps prevent the snow from freezing onto roads and bridges.
• Our snowplow crews will report for duty at 7 p.m. Salt spreaders will be filled and positioned for response to storm conditions. Snowplow crews are prepared for a round-the-clock snow removal operation. In addition, due to the potential for heavy snow accumulation, the City will use five contract road graders to assist in snow removal from streets.
• We will begin plowing road surfaces when one inch of snow. Plowing continues only on the highest traffic volume roads until the end of the snow event. After the end of the snowfall and the primary streets are clear, we begin plowing industrial areas, and then to roadways that connect residential areas to the primary streets, and finally to residential areas. Generally, it takes 24 to 36 hours after the snow event has ended to plow all residential streets. We do not clear private streets and alleys.
• Residents and visitors should be not travel if possible. Not only is travel dangerous during a winter storm, but it also will pack the snow accumulation on the street and make the snow removal more difficult.
• Residents and visitors also are advised that extreme cold temperatures are expected to arrive Saturday and remain through Monday. The high temperature each day will be below freezing. Overnight lows will be in the single digits. The snow accumulation on streets will freeze. Snowplow crews will plow residential streets, but might not be able to clear the snow accumulation to the pavement. Sand will be spread as needed.
• We ask our residents and visitors not to park, when possible, on the streets, eliminating the chance of snowplow operators damaging vehicles and allowing for a quicker plowing operation. Motorists are advised to limit travel and stay off the streets entirely if possible. Check for newspaper, radio and television bulletins for information on road conditions.
• Our power and light crews also are prepared for a round-the-clock response to any outages. Electric customers whose residence or business is without power should call Danville Utilities at (434) 773-8300 to report the outage.
• When widespread outages occur, power and light line crews first are assigned to make repairs based on restoring power to the greatest number of customers in the shortest time. As lines are repaired and crews become available, they are assigned to areas with fewer outages.
• It is not always possible to determine how long a power outage will occur because of extent of damage; therefore, a customer using medical devices must make other arrangements in the event of a power outage and temporarily go to a location or medical facility that does have power.
• Residents and visitors should be aware that downed power lines are dangerous. Please call 9-1-1 immediately.
• The Danville Public Library will be closed on Saturday.
• All Parks and Recreation facilities normally open during the weekends will be closed, including Coates Recreation Center, Glenwood Community Center and the Powerzone Fitness Center. Optimist basketball practice and cheerleading has been canceled. The Pickleball open gym on Sunday will be closed.
• The Cabin Fever Music Series scheduled for Saturday has been postponed.
• The Winter Farmers’ Market has been canceled.

(UPDATE POSTED AT 10 A.M. FRIDAY)

Danville now under winter storm warning

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Danville, effective from 7 p.m. today to 7 p.m. Saturday. The winter storm watch no longer is in effect.

The winter storm warning for snow means severe weather conditions are expected. Travel will become dangerous. Only travel in an emergency. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you.

The latest forecast from the National Weather Service calls for a snow accumulation of six to eight inches for Danville, south central Virginia and north central North Carolina. A slight shift of the forecast storm track to the north will bring higher snow amounts to our area and increase snow totals to the north, while a more southern track will reduce snowfall amounts. Therefore, please monitor the forecast carefully over the next 12 hours.

Snowfall is expected to begin this evening and continue through Saturday morning. The overnight low today will be around 25 degrees. On Saturday, the high will be near 27 degrees; and the overnight low, around 10 degrees.

Residents and visitors in need of a shelter or warming station should call the City’s non-emergency number: 799-5111. This line is also answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Here is a situation report as of 9 a.m. The report provides information on City of Danville response plans, emergency numbers, cancellations, etc.

• Our street division crews began spreading brine on main thoroughfares at 6:30 a.m. today. They will finish by 4 p.m. Brine is a mixture of water and salt, on the road surface. The water in the brine evaporates, leaving the salt behind on the road. The salt breaks the bond between the snow and the roadway, and it therefore helps prevent the snow from freezing onto roads and bridges.
• Our snowplow crews will report for duty at 7 p.m. Salt spreaders will be filled and positioned for response to storm conditions. Snowplow crews are prepared for a round-the-clock snow removal operation. In addition, due to the potential for heavy snow accumulation, the City will use five contract road graders to assist in snow removal from streets.
• We will begin plowing road surfaces when one inch of snow. Plowing continues only on the highest traffic volume roads until the end of the snow event. After the end of the snowfall and the primary streets are clear, we begin plowing industrial areas, and then to roadways that connect residential areas to the primary streets, and finally to residential areas. Generally, it takes 24 to 36 hours after the snow event has ended to plow all residential streets. We do not clear private streets and alleys.
• Residents and visitors should be not travel if possible. Not only is travel dangerous during a winter storm, but it also will pack the snow accumulation on the street and make the snow removal more difficult.
• Residents and visitors also are advised that extreme cold temperatures are expected to arrive Saturday and remain through Monday. The high temperature each day will be below freezing. Overnight lows will be in the single digits. The snow accumulation on streets will freeze. Snowplow crews will plow residential streets, but might not be able to clear the snow accumulation to the pavement. Sand will be spread as needed.
• We ask our residents and visitors not to park, when possible, on the streets, eliminating the chance of snowplow operators damaging vehicles and allowing for a quicker plowing operation. Motorists are advised to limit travel and stay off the streets entirely if possible. Check for newspaper, radio and television bulletins for information on road conditions.
• Our power and light crews also are prepared for a round-the-clock response to any outages. Electric customers whose residence or business is without power should call Danville Utilities at (434) 773-8300 to report the outage.
• When widespread outages occur, power and light line crews first are assigned to make repairs based on restoring power to the greatest number of customers in the shortest time. As lines are repaired and crews become available, they are assigned to areas with fewer outages.
• It is not always possible to determine how long a power outage will occur because of extent of damage; therefore, a customer using medical devices must make other arrangements in the event of a power outage and temporarily go to a location or medical facility that does have power.
• Residents and visitors should be aware that downed power lines are dangerous. Please call 9-1-1 immediately.
• The Danville Public Library will be closed on Saturday.
• All Parks and Recreation facilities normally open during the weekends will be closed, including Coates Recreation Center, Glenwood Community Center and the Powerzone Fitness Center. Optimist basketball practice and cheerleading has been canceled. The Pickleball open gym on Sunday will be closed.
• The Cabin Fever Music Series scheduled for Saturday has been postponed.
• The Winter Farmers’ Market has been canceled.

(UPDATE POSTED AT 9:15 P.M. THURSDAY)

Danville joins list under winter storm watch

The National Weather Service has placed Danville and Pittsylvania County under a winter storm watch. The designation means there is a potential for significant snow accumulation that may impact travel.

Snow accumulations of three to five inches are currently expected, beginning late Friday evening through Saturday morning.

The National Weather Service issued the watch at 8:38 p.m.

(UPDATE POSTED AT 5:30 P.M. THURSDAY)

Area counties under winter storm watch

The National Weather Service has expanded its winter storm watch to include Halifax County and Caswell and Rockingham counties. The watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel.

Snow accumulations of three to five inches are currently expected, beginning late Friday evening through Saturday morning.

Danville and Pittsylvania County are not yet included in the winter storm watch. Residents and visitors are urged to monitor the latest forecasts.

(ORIGINAL STORY POSTED AT 12:30 P.M.)

City prepares for threat of weekend storm

The Danville Public Works Department will begin pretreating main thoroughfares Friday morning because of a low-pressure system passing to the southeast that may result in a snow accumulation this weekend.

According to a briefing this morning by the National Weather Service office in Blacksburg, confidence is growing that accumulating snow will arrive in northern North Carolina and southern Virginia during the day Friday into early Saturday. There will be a sharp gradient to where snow accumulates and where no snow falls from south to north. There still is uncertainty about where the axis of heaviest snow will fall.

Public Works Director Rick Drazenovich said the decision to pretreat road surfaces on Friday is because of the gradient.

“It is one of those storms in which the gradient is so steep that we might receive several inches of snow or we might receive little or no snow,” Drazenovich said. “We have to ready in the event we receive heavy snow.”

Brine is a mixture of water and salt, on the road surface. The water in the brine evaporates, leaving the salt behind on the road. The salt breaks the bond between the snow and the roadway, and it therefore helps prevent the snow from freezing onto roads and bridges.

If snow arrives, residents and visitors are urged to proceed with caution due. Only the major thoroughfares will be pretreated by the city. Remember that your car cannot start, stop or turn as quickly and surely on snow as it does on dry pavement, so think and drive accordingly, and be cautious driving and walking in parking lots.

Public Works crews are prepared for round-the-clock snow removal operations. They will begin plowing road surfaces when one inch of snow or ice has accumulated. Plowing continues only on the highest traffic volume roads until the end of the snow event.

When the snow event has ended and the main thoroughfares are cleared, crews then will move to streets that connect to primary routes and bus routes. The final stage will be residential neighborhoods.

The National Weather Service says much colder air will arrive this weekend, with wind chill values in the lower teens in the Danville area. Saturday’s high is expected to be 28 degrees, with an overnight low of 16 degrees, Sunday’s high will be 30 degrees, with an overnight low of 10 degrees.

Danville Utilities crews will be on standby this weekend in the event of power outages.

 Residents and visitors can learn more about snow removal operations, what to do in the event of power outages, and winter safety tips by visiting the City’s weather page.