Virginians Urged To Watch Roads, Weather Forecasts For Labor Day

VIRGINIA — While Florida prepares for the approach of Hurricane Dorian, the Labor Day weekend will be fairly normal in Virginia. Nevertheless, Virginia State Police are encouraging residents to monitor weather forecasts stay alert on the roads during the busy holiday weekend.

As with hurricane events in past years, more out-of-state travelers could appear on Virginia roadways. Police say it's more crucial than ever to share the roads, drive sober and avoid distractions. All available state troopers are working during the holiday weekend to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities.

Last year's Labor Day weekend saw a significant spike in traffic-related fatalities. The 14 deaths in Virginia last Labor Day holiday jumped from five in 2017. State troopers arrested 72 people for drunk driving last Labor Day weekend, which averaged out to an arrest every 80 minutes.

SEE ALSO: Labor Day 2019: Worst Travel Times Around DC Area, Virginia

Virginia State Police are conducting traffic safety and enforcement as part of the Operation CARE (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort) Friday, Aug. 30 through midnight Monday, Sept. 2. An additional DUI enforcement campaign through Labor Day has 98 Virginia law enforcement agencies conducting checkpoints and saturation patrols.

If your holiday plans include travel to Florida, be aware of traffic and flight delays as well as advisories and emergency information related to the hurricane.

HURRICANE COVERAGE IN FLORIDA: Hurricane Dorian Now Major Cat 3; Governor Fears Category 4-Plus

The Weather Forecast and Beach Outlook

If you're heading to the Virginia beaches this weekend, you can expect warm and sunny weather, according to the National Weather Service's Wakefield office. Look for beach patrol and flag warnings over the weekend, as Friday has a moderate risk for rip currents from Ocean City, Maryland to the Outer Banks, North Carolina.

Residents staying in Northern Virginia can expect perfect summer weather—for the most part. The NWS office in Sterling expects sunny weather on Friday and Saturday followed by slight chances starting Sunday afternoon into Labor Day morning.

Hurricane Dorian is expected to make landfall around 8 a.m. Tuesday somewhere along Florida's eastern coast. The NWS Wakefield office says the path of the hurricane and impact on Virginia is uncertain beyond the weekend. As a precaution, Virginians on the coast should review hurricane preparedness plans.