Danville Public Works Department crews will pretreat the major thoroughfares, bridges, and overpasses on Saturday because of a winter storm forecast for a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain, beginning late Sunday evening.

The National Weather Service in Blacksburg says rain on Sunday will transition to a wintry mix in the evening as temperatures drop. The mix will continue overnight before changing over to mainly rain before sunrise. A trace amount of snow is expected.

“If the storm shifts farther south, then you could see more snow,” said meteorologist Amanda Sava. “If it goes farther north, then there will be less probability for snow.”

However, the storm could produce a light glaze of ice, which would make untreated street surfaces and sidewalks slick. As a precaution, crews on Saturday will pretreat the major thoroughfares, bridges, and overpasses with brine, which is a mixture of water and salt, will be used to. The water in the brine evaporates, leaving the salt behind on the road. The salt keeps snow and sleet from bonding on the road surface, and it helps to prevent ice from forming. Residential streets are not pretreated.

Public Works crews will monitor street conditions Sunday evening and overnight and spread salt and sand in areas as needed. Also, Danville Utilities crews will be on standby. Customers are encouraged to review the Danville Utilities’ storm preparation guide. If any resident or visitor needs shelter, then they should call the City of Danville non-emergency number, which is 434-799-5111, option 8. Arrangements for shelter will be made.