Public Works and Utilities departments are monitoring the track of an approaching winter storm that is expected to strengthen Monday night off the cost of the Carolinas. The storm will send a mix of precipitation types into Virginia overnight Monday night and Tuesday morning.
According to the National Weather Service office in Blacksburg, the precipitation will begin as rain around sunset Monday before transitioning to sleet and snow by Tuesday morning in parts of the state. Snow accumulations will be mainly along and west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
For Danville, the most likely scenario is rain only, although sleet/snow is possible. Temperatures, however, may be too warm for any snow accumulation on streets. The overnight low is expected to be around 34 degrees.
Public Works Director Rick Drazenovich said Monday that there are no plans to pretreat major thoroughfares with brine because the rain would wash away the brine. 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.
Utilities crews will be on call, but will be placed on standby if the forecast changes.
If snow arrives, residents and visitors are urged to proceed with caution due. 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.
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: http://danvilleva.gov/1907/Weather-Update
