Area roads may turn treacherous

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: January 6, 2009

Central Virginians may find roads full of rain and possibly black ice today as a Tennessee Valley low-pressure system is expected to move through the area with moisture in tow.

The National Weather Service had issued a winter storm watch for today, predicting enough sleet and freezing rain across the region to possibly make for messy travel conditions. But that watch was lifted Monday evening, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

A winter weather advisory remains in effect for Madison, Culpeper, Fauquier and Rappahannock counties from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. today.

Nevertheless, VDOT warned of potentially slick roads and black ice Monday night into this morning.

VDOT crews were to begin patrolling at midnight, focusing mostly on western Central Virginia in the higher elevations.According to the weather service, the Tennessee low will push Gulf Coast moisture with it, mixing it with colder air expected to settle over the area Monday night as a weak cold front moves through the region.

Officials say they expect a 40 percent chance of rain early today with sleet possibly developing later. They predict a 90 percent chance of precipitation.