What to know about closures, delays, weather forecast

An unexpected but light snowfall fell in parts of south central and central Virginia Tuesday evening, including Petersburg, Hopewell and Colonial Heights.

The storm started after 18 and started to disappear around 22. Total snowfall overnight was less than half an inch, according to National Weather Service in Wakefield. The night reached a cold low of around 15 degrees, bringing a chilly weather advisory for the region, which started at midnight Wednesday and lasted until

Frigid Wednesday brings a new hazardous weather warning expected to last overnight

According to the National Weather Service, the rest of the day will remain sunny, with a high near 27. Wednesday night will be mostly clear with a freezing low around 9.

Thursday is expected to be much warmer and partly sunny, with a high near 37. Thursday night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 19.

The National Weather Service issued a new hazardous weather warning warning after 10 Wednesday morning due to the cool temperatures expected for the rest of the day and night.

School, government shutdowns, PAT delays

The surprise snow made roads around the area slippery enough to force schools to close for the day. Several local government offices chose to either close or delay opening.

The weather also caused a two-hour delay in the Petersburg Area Transit system, which currently operates only on main roads. Dialysis passengers will be serviced at scheduled times, but all other parapassengers will be serviced within the delayed schedule. For more information, customers can call the service line at (804) 733-2450.

Stay updated on road conditions, power outages and more

Tri-City residents are encouraged to prepare for icy conditions and stay updated on the latest weather developments when the cold front begins.

Petersburg will publish updated information on the city’s website at www.petersburg-va.orgFacebook at city ​​of petersburgva or X at @petersburgV. You can also follow the Petersburg Police app for updates: apps.myocv.com/share/a91123803.

Petersburg public works crews will continue to treat roads, and police and fire departments are monitoring road conditions, according to to the city. Citizens should report poor road conditions or fallen trees blocking roadways to the Petersburg Bureau of Police non-emergency line at (804) 732-4222. Any power outages should be reported to Dominion Energy at 1-866-366-4357. In an emergency, call 911.

Due to the cold temperatures, the NWS urges residents to exercise caution when traveling outside and wear appropriate clothing, including hats and gloves. Motorists should be aware of the possibility of slippery patches and use caution when driving, especially on bridges and overpasses. Allow extra time to reach your destination and avoid sudden stops or accelerations.

Weather alerts and watches around Virginia and the United States

National Weather Service radar: Track the weather in Virginia, USA

How to stay safe on snowy or icy roads, freezing weather

Icy roads – and the dangers they create – are one of them most important causes of accidents in winter. Check some out key tips from Icy Road Safety for safe driving in freezing weather and icy roads below:

1. Equip your car

• Make sure your tires have enough tread, check your antifreeze levels, install winter tires if necessary, inspect your wiper blades and have a scraper and de-icer handy.

• Use winter tires or chains if the conditions are particularly icy.

• Prepare an emergency kit: Include things like a flashlight, blanket, ice scraper, jumper cables, sand or cat litter (for traction), and non-perishable snacks to keep in your car.

• Check your battery as cold weather can weaken batteries. Make sure it is fully charged and in good working order.

• Keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent the fuel line from freezing.

• Keep an extra phone charger and make sure your phone is charged before you hit the road.

2. Slow down

• Reduce your speed to maintain better control and allow increased stopping distance.

• Avoid sudden acceleration, braking or sharp turns, which can cause skidding.

3. Increase the following distance

• Leave at least 5-6 seconds of following distance from the car in front of you to allow more time to stop.

4. Use careful braking and acceleration

• Brake carefully to avoid skidding; if your vehicle has ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), press firmly and gently on the brakes.

• Accelerate slowly to avoid wheelspin.

5. Steer evenly

• Make slow, controlled steering movements to prevent loss of traction.

• If you begin to skid, steer gently in the direction of the skid to regain control.

6. Avoid cruise control

• Turn off cruise control on icy roads to ensure full control of your vehicle.

7. Use the right equipment

• In slippery conditions, use lower gears to maintain better traction, especially on hills.

8. Plan for stops

• Start braking earlier than normal when approaching intersections, stop signs, or other vehicles.

9. Keep the windows clear

• Make sure your windshield and windows are completely defrosted and free of ice or snow for maximum visibility.

10. Be alert and avoid distractions

• Stay focused on the road and be aware of potentially icy patches, especially on bridges, overpasses and shaded areas.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg, Hopewell, Colonial Heights snow, cold delays, closures