UPDATE AT 10:30 A.M. SATURDAY: The National Weather Service office in Blacksburg has downgraded the downgraded the possibility of significant snow accumulation in the Danville area. In its latest forecast, the office says there is a 30 percent chance of light snowfall after 1 a.m. Sunday. The chance of snow will continue to diminish as the morning progresses, with gradual clearing and warming temperatures.
However, a significant winter storm is expected to develop across the region late Monday into Tuesday. Significant accumulations of winter precipitation will be possible during this time frame.
ORIGINAL STORY POSTED 12:30 P.M. FRIDAY
Public Works and Utilities departments are monitoring the track of an approaching snowstorm that may bring a possible snow accumulation of less than an inch of snow overnight Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
According to the National Weather Service office in Blacksburg, confidence is growing that accumulating snow will arrive in in south central Virginian and north central North Carolina, especially along the border.
Public Works Director Rick Drazenovich said Friday that salt and sand crews will be on duty Saturday night through Sunday morning to monitor conditions and apply salt and sand as needed. Snowplow crews will be on standby.
Drazenovich said there are no plans to pretreat major thoroughfares with brine because temperatures today and Saturday will keep road surfaces relatively warm in advance of the storm. 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.
Utilities crews will be on call in the event of power outages, but will be placed on standby if the forecast changes.
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