UPDATE: VDOT Travel Advisory for Tuesday Morning Commute

UPDATE, Monday 7 p.m.:

With forecasts for snow bands that could bring 2 to 3 inches of snow in some areas, Virginia Department of Transportation crews will work overnight to prepare northern Virginia roads for the Tuesday morning rush hour, according to a news release from VDOT.

VDOT will ramp up to about 1,475 trucks in Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William and Arlington counties, to plow snow and treat for ice on major roads as well as secondary and neighborhood streets, according to the agency.

What drivers should know:

· Plan ahead for the Tuesday morning rush hour. Check road conditions and delay trips if possible. If driving use extreme caution, allow extra commute time and be aware of possible slick conditions.

· Bridge and pavement temperatures are forecasted to remain at or below freezing through Tuesday. Any snow or rain on the pavement will freeze.

· Use special caution on secondary roads and neighborhood streets, and problem spots such as bridges, ramps, hills and overpasses.

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As temperatures begin to drop to freezing Monday across Northern Virginia ahead of some expected wintry mix, the Virginia Department of Transportation is advising Northern Virginia drivers to get on the road early for the ride home.

VDOT’s advice? Drivers are asked to commute and travel in the early afternoon if possible, prior to 4 p.m., to get ahead of increasing precipitation and dropping pavement temperatures expected this evening, according to a news release from the transportation department.

Between the morning and afternoon rush hours today, crews will apply a light application of salt, or mix of salt and liquid magnesium chloride, to problem spots such as bridges, ramps, hills and overpasses on main roads and in neighborhoods. Crews will continue to treat roads through the evening rush and overnight tonight.

Bridge and pavement temperatures are forecasted to be at or below freezing from 6 p.m. today through mid-day Tuesday. Drivers are asked to use caution, particularly in neighborhoods where slick conditions may develop this evening.

About 900 trucks will remain on duty this evening throughout Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William and Arlington counties.

Reminders and resources:

• Slow down and allow for extra time to reach your destination

• Be aware of potentially icy areas such as bridges, ramps, curves and overpasses

• Check www.511virginia.org for road conditions

• Get more details on snow removal in northern Virginia

• Follow VDOT Northern Virginia on Twitter: @vadotnova