CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) is urging drivers to slow down and be extra cautious when a significant winter storm, with blizzard-like conditions, is expected to impact the state starting late Sunday, January 5, 2025, and lasting through Monday morning, January 6, 2025.
On Thursday, January 2, 2025, Gov. Jim Justice announced a state of preparedness for all 55 counties in anticipation of the coming storms. The state of preparedness allows the West Virginia Emergency Management Division (WVEMD) to posture personnel and resources for quick response to any emergency that may develop. Coordinating agencies have been placed on standby to report to the State Emergency Operations Center should the need arise.
Snow began early on the morning of Friday, January 3, 2025 in most of the state, but tapered off and stopped on Friday morning. Clear skies were expected over most of West Virginia on Saturday, January 4, with snow expected to return to the Mountain State on Sunday, January 5, 2025. Accumulations of four to 12 inches were expected in different parts of the state.
Joe Pack, P.E., WVDOT Chief Engineer of Operations, said the state has approximately 1,000 snowplows mobilized and on the roads to fight snow and ice. Snowplows will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until the weather event is over.
“We prepare for an inch of snow the same way we prepare for 12,” Pack said.
In WVDOT District 4, includes some of the most mountainous terrain in the state, and District 4 road crews are well-practiced in controlling ice and snow.
“In Preston County, we’ll be moving snow until March,” said District 4 manager Earl Gaskins.
District 4 crews have been out pretreating roads since Thursday.
“Any available equipment is out,” Gaskins said. “We’ve got 25,000 tons of salt stockpiled.”
Pack said the WVDOT started the year with a stockpile of approximately 231,000 tons of salt statewide, and will replenish the supply as necessary. The amount of salt on hand is based on how much salt the agency has used each year over the past 10 years.
Snowfall on Thursday and Friday was not heavy, but clearing efforts were complicated by an expected temperature drop.
“It’s the cold temperatures that get you,” Gaskins said. “We don’t have a lot of snow to push off the road, but we’re constantly fighting the ice.”
Pack said the safest choice during snowstorms is to simply stay home. WVDOT recommends that all non-essential travel be postponed to allow road crews to clear and treat highways without interference. Fewer vehicles on the road will reduce the risk of accidents and help speed up snow removal efforts. For those who must travel, WVDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time to reach their destinations. Snow and ice can create hazardous conditions that lead to slower traffic and increased risk of collisions.
What Drivers Can Do To Help Plow Workers:
- Give Snowplows Space. Stay at least 100 feet behind snowplows, and do not try to pass them unless absolutely necessary.
- Slow Down. Even when you see snowplows, reduce your speed and allow extra time to reach your destination.
- Avoid Sudden Stops or Maneuvers. Plows may be spreading salt or brine, and sudden changes in direction or speed can make the roadway more hazardous for everyone.
- Be Mindful of Multiple Plows. Plows often travel in groups to treat large areas at once, so keep a safe distance from all plows in the convoy.
Each district also has a stockpile of salt to use as needed throughout the winter. WVDOT crews will be mobilized around the clock to treat major routes and clear snow. High-priority areas, including interstates and primary roads, will be cleared first, while secondary and mountain roads will be addressed as conditions allow. Some areas may see road closures or restrictions due to hazardous conditions. The WVDOT will evaluate road conditions throughout the storm and provide updates on any closures or detours as necessary. Drivers are encouraged to monitor road conditions closely and plan their travels carefully.
The storm is expected to affect the region throughout Monday, January 6, 2025, with the worst conditions likely to occur between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. The storm will begin to taper off by the evening hours, but travel disruptions may persist into Tuesday, January 7, 2025. The WVDOT will continue to monitor conditions and adapt response efforts as needed.
