Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
A prolonged winter storm that brought snow, sleet and freezing rain to Salem and the Roanoke Valley over the weekend continues to disrupt daily life, prompting extended school closures, canceled public meetings and repeated warnings from state transportation officials for motorists to stay off the roads.
Salem City Schools announced all schools will be closed Monday, Jan. 26, and Tuesday, Jan. 27, citing the aftermath of the storm and bitter subfreezing temperatures expected to persist overnight and into Tuesday. School officials said hazardous road conditions remain a concern and urged families to prioritize safety.
Roanoke College also closed campus Monday because of winter storm impacts. College officials advised students and employees to remain indoors and avoid travel. Sutton Commons operated on a limited schedule from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., while other campus dining venues, the Campus Store and Health Services remained closed. Community leaders were supplied with blankets, flu and COVID-19 tests and basic medications in case of emergency.
The storm also affected city government operations. Mayor Renée Ferris Turk canceled Salem City Council’s work session and regular meeting scheduled for Monday due to weather conditions.
The Virginia Department of Transportation continued around-the-clock operations across western Virginia, including the Salem District, as crews worked to clear snow and ice from roadways. VDOT reported that after snow ended overnight, one to three inches of sleet accumulated beginning early Sunday morning, with snow transitioning to sleet and freezing rain across the region late Saturday into Sunday.
As of Monday, interstates and primary routes were in generally good condition, though some minor slick spots remained. Crews working 12-hour shifts had shifted focus to secondary routes, including residential roads and subdivision streets. While these roads are being plowed, officials cautioned they will not be fully cleared and motorists should not expect bare pavement.
VDOT said significant improvement on secondary roads will depend on cold temperatures and sunshine throughout the week. With extremely low temperatures forecast to continue, snowpack and ice are expected to remain on many surfaces, and refreeze will be an ongoing issue.
Motorists are urged to avoid travel if possible, particularly on secondary and neighborhood roads where snow and sleet can become compacted by vehicles, making plowing more difficult. Officials warned that roads appearing wet could still be icy, especially on bridges, shaded areas and higher elevations where ice tends to form first.
Ahead of the storm, VDOT applied brine to major roads and prepared for a multi-day response. Depending on temperatures and lingering winter conditions, some subdivisions may not see significant improvement for several days.
