Wind advisory for Thursday, SHA says to avoid early morning travel

ABC7 snow map displaying radar for the area just after 8 a.m. Wednesday. (Courtesy ABC7)
''How does this happen? Some interesting driving moves in D.C. area. Thanks @MichaelDPhotos!'' (Courtesy Steve Rudin ABC7 via Twitter)
Slick roads on 15 south in Frederick, Md. (Courtesy Scott_DeMattia via Twitter)
''Dulles snow team clears taxiway Y, just west of the terminal complex.'' (Courtesy dcairports via Twitter)
''Already have about an inch of snow and still falling in Frederick.'' (Courtesy bbenj10 via Twitter)
''It's indeed a White Christmas in Laurel, Md.'' (Courtesy @ChrisOwens74 via Twitter)
''First snow of season in Columbia. Falling quickly - street was bare 15 min ago when I went in for coffee.'' (Courtesy @calvinhjr via Twitter)
''An inch on the ground in Herndon.'' (Courtesy @MetroDCDJs via Twitter)
''I can't escape. The snow is following me from #Pittsburgh.'' (Courtesy @kmw0919 via Twitter)
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WASHINGTON – While Winter Weather Advisories were canceled Wednesday afternoon, the region isn’t free from weather related dangers going into Thursday morning.

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has issued a strong plea for drivers to delay early morning travel Thursday, specifically before dawn. Near- freezing temperatures are in the forecast as well as fog, and crews need a chance to ice roads for safe travel.

“Stay off the roads early tomorrow morning, so that SHA crews have the opportunity to proactively treat roadways before morning rush hour,” said SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters in a press release.

“When you step out and see ice on your doorstep, you can assume that roads will be icy as well. Also remember that conditions can change rapidly within just a few miles, and we ask motorists to remain on guard and exercise extreme caution tonight and tomorrow morning.”

Virginia State Police also said they’d received nearly 2,000 service calls on Dec. 26 and responded to 686 crashes statewide.

Additionally, the National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for parts of upper Montgomery County including Seneca Creek in Dawsonville until Thursday morning.

Wednesday morning’s snow is now rain and should remain that way through the night, says the National Weather Service.

Truckers were being advised to be especially careful when traveling west of the I- 95 corridor as temperatures were expected to fall below freezing. Here’s a link to the best places to ride out a storm if conditions worsen.

On Thursday, the entire WTOP listening area is under a Wind Advisory from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. as gusts up to 50 mph are expected. The National Weather Service says the wind could down trees and impact power lines.

The complex storm system has covered the area with a mix of rain, sleet, snow and freezing rain. VDOT started treating and salting the roads with 400 service trucks at 3 a.m. Wednesday in preparation for the weather.

On Wednesday at 3 p.m., this was the latest snowfall information from ABC 7 meteorologist Steve Prinzivalli:

  • 3.8″ Frostburg, MD
  • 3″ Gore, VA
  • 4″ Stephens City, VA
  • 3.5″ Front Royal, VA
  • 2″ Haywood, VA
  • 1.8″ Leesburg, VA
  • 1.5″ Westminster, MD
  • 3.5″ Martinsburg, WV
  • 1″ Damascus, MD
  • 1″ Gainesville, VA
  • 0.8″ Chantilly, VA

On Thursday, high winds are expected with temperatures reaching into the mid- 40s during the day. But, on the bright side, the sun should be out and will stay with the region through Friday.

WTOP’s Kate Ryan caught some of Wednesday’s weather in action on camera. Check it out below.

Follow @WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

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