WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 02/07/03

[7-NRV-Weather]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=AM-Cutin]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

About three to five inches of snow fell in the New River Valley.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]
And V-Dot says that, combined with the warmer temperatures, has made it easier for crews to clear the roads. The department is reporting minor conditions on major highways in Pulaski and Montgomery Counties. But, officials say primary roads in Giles County are still in moderate condition, with only about 20-percent bare pavement. V-Dot says as the snow clears, it will make more progress getting to the secondary roads, but for now, would recommend using snow tires or chains.
(------------)

[1Roanoke-Wx]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=545AM]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

It's becoming a weekly routine, dealing with a new wave of winter weather.
The storm that hit last evening, continued overnight and dumped several inches of snow in some parts of our coverage area.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Kim /Patio;]

Joe Dashiell is outside our studios on Hershberger Road. Joe, How does it look here in Roanoke?
[LIVE=Joe /FULL]
[SUPER=@joe1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]

Kimberly, the sun is rising... and we can see some blue above us... Conditions should improve rapidly as temperatures rise, but drivers will still face some difficult conditions this morning.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=OPENS ON NAT SOUND]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :05]
[SUPER=01-Lloyd Rawley/Roanoke Snowplow Driver; :28]
[RUNS=:35]
[OUT Q=slicker than the ones we've had before.]
(([OPENS NAT SOUND OF PARKING LOT SNOW PLOW]
On private parking lots, and public highways crews have been working through the night to clear the way for morning motorists.
But the snow that started Thursday evening, kept an icy coating on most of the roads in the region... and contributed to a rash of minor accidents.
As Snow Plow Driver Lloyd Rawley scraped the ice from his windshield and mirrors, and encouraged everyone to take care on slippery roads.
[SOT 01:30:00]
[IN Q=This is the worst one yet]
((THIS IS THE WORST ONE YET. I BELIEVE. WHY IS IT SO BAD. WELL IT'S A WET SNOW AND IT'S REALLY SLICKER THAN THE ONES WE'VE HAD BEFORE.))
[RUNS= :09]
[OUT Q=than the ones we've had before.]))
[LIVE=Joe /FULL]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

We do have a report of an accident in the northbound lanes of Interstate 81 near mile marker 119 in Montgomery County. one lane is blocked there and there is no word on when that problem will be cleared.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Leo /Joe Patio;]

So Leo, conditions are still very challenging in some parts of our viewing area.

[45-NRV-Weather]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM-Cutin]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

About three to five inches of snow fell in the New River Valley.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]
And V-Dot says that, combined with the warmer temperatures, has made it easier for crews to clear the roads. The department is reporting minor conditions on major highways in Pulaski and Montgomery Counties. But, officials say primary roads in Giles County are still in moderate condition, with only about 20-percent bare pavement. V-Dot says as the snow clears it will make more progress getting to the secondary roads, but for now, would recommend using snow tires or chains.
(------------)

[2Roanoke-Wx]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=615AM]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

Conditions should improve rapidly as temperatures rise
[DOUBLE BOXES=Kim /Joe Patio;]

But Joe Dashiell reports the snow and ice are still causing problems this morning.
[LIVE= Joe /FULL]
[SUPER=@Joe1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

Kimberly, we have a report of an accident on Interstate 81 in Montgomery County. A tractor trailer is blocking one of the northbound lanes near Mile Marker 119. No estimate on when the problem will be cleared.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Like the storms]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Kevin Camp/Snowplow Driver;]
[RUNS=:30]
[OUT Q=it's a good money maker.]

((Like the storms that have come before, the snowfall that arrived on Thursday night delivered a chilly challenge for anyone who was up before the sun.
Despite the best efforts of state and local crews who worked through the night, roads retained a layer of snow and ice... that made driving difficult.
Still, there were a few folks, like Kevin Camp, who hoped to see a few more flakes.
[SOT]
[IN Q=It seems this snow]
((IT SEEMS THIS SNOW HAS BEEN KIND OF WET. IT'S NOT ACCUMULATING TOO BAD. IT WOULDN'T HURT MY FEELINGS IF IT DID A LITTLE MORE, IT'S A GOOD MONEY MAKER.))
[RUNS= :09]
[OUT Q=It's a good money maker.]))
[LIVE=Joe /FULL]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

Kevin Camp spent the night clearing parking lots.... putting down salt.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Leo /Joe Patio;]

Leo, count him among those who wish it were even deeper out here this morning.

[8-NRV-Weather]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM-Cutin]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-03]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

About three to five inches of snow fell in the New River Valley.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]
And V-Dot says that, combined with the warmer temperatures, has made it easier for crews to clear the roads. The department is reporting minor conditions on major highways in Pulaski and Montgomery Counties. But, officials say primary roads in Giles County are still in moderate condition, with only about 20-percent bare pavement. V-Dot says as the snow clears it will make more progress getting to the secondary roads, but for now, would recommend using snow tires or chains.
(------------)

[3Roanoke-Wx]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=630AM]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

Freezing temperatures and moisture surging in from the south combined to bring another blast of winter weather.

The latest storm dumped up to six inches of snow in some parts of western Virginia.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Kim/Joe Patio;]

But Joe Dashiell reports that conditions are improving as the temperatures rise.
[LIVE=Joe /FULL]
[SUPER=@Joe1]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]

Kimberly, I have an update on that accident on Interstate 81 in Mongtomery County. A tractor trailer was blocking one of the northbound lanes near mile marker 119, but that problem has been cleared.
Here in the Roanoke Valley, the snow and ice also contributed to problems overnight, but most of those accidents were minor ones.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The storm that rolled]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Myron DeBerry/Valley Metro Driver; :22]
[RUNS=:37]
[OUT Q=I'm ready for Spring.]

((The storm that rolled into western Virginia thursday evening stayed through the night and left a layer of snow and ice.
While state and local crews pushed snow and spread chemicals... the slippery conditions caught many motorists with minor accidents.
Myron DeBerry has seen his share of bad weather during 28 years with Valley Metro, and is looking forward to warmer temperatures.
[SOT 01:32:32]
[IN Q=My guess the last nine or ten years]
((MY GUESS THE LAST NINE OR TEN YEARS WE HAVEN'T HAD THIS COLD A WINTER, PLUS THIS SNOW WHEN IT COMES DOWN LIKE THIS YOU KNOW WHEN IT'S THIS COLD, IT'S JUST HARD FOR IT TO GO AWAY, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. JUST SOMETHING THAT WE'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH RIGHT NOW. YOU READY FOR SPRING TO ARRIVE. YESSIR I REALLY AM. I'M READY FOR SPRING.))
[RUNS= :15]
[OUT Q=I'm ready for spring.]))
[LIVE=Joe /FULL]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

We've also heard from Roanoke Regional Airport... the airport is open, but problems in other cities are causing some delays. Leo, folks who are flying out of Roanoke today, should check with their airline. [DOUBLE BOXES]