Public Works Department crews today are pretreating the major thoroughfares, bridges, and overpasses because of a forecast for mainly snow, beginning late Friday afternoon or early Friday evening.

The National Weather Service in Blacksburg says Danville can expect an accumulation of one to three inches of snow, ending by sunrise Saturday.

“Danville will have a high of 37 on Friday, so probably the first flakes that come might not stick, but as it gets around sunset, it will start sticking,” said meteorologist Patrick Wilson. “There is a chance it could mix with freezing rain or sleet, but odds are this will be mainly snow.”

Areas south of Danville will see a mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain, and rain, Wilson said. Areas north and west of Danville will see a greater accumulation of snow.

Public Works crews use a mixture of water and salt to create a brine solution to pretreat streets. The water evaporates, leaving the salt behind on the road surface. The salt keeps snow and sleet from bonding on the surface, and it helps to prevent ice from forming. Residential streets are not pretreated.

When snow accumulations reach more than one inch, Public Works crews will begin a round-the-clock snow removal operation, beginning with the highest traffic volume streets.

Danville Utilities crews will be on standby this weekend. 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.