Wednesday's Wintry Weather Mix Rumples Road Conditions

Below-freezing temperatures and a wintery mix of rain, freezing rain and sleet spurred an extended winter weather advisory for Montgomery and Prince George's counties on Wednesday. 

The forecast called for accumulations of less than one inch of sleet and under a tenth of an inch of ice, according to the Naitonal Weather Service. 

Temperatures are expected to stay below freezing, which can cause treacherous road conditions.

In a statement released by the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) administrator Melinda B. Peters urged motorists to "keep their speeds down as lighter traffic can result in increased travel speeds" and "to exercise extreme caution today."

Silver Spring resident Brian McCaw was out this morning in the wintry mix.

"It was a little but unexpected," said McCaw. "I had to run to the grocery store, and while I'm used to driving in this weather, I can see how it would be tough for some people and I hope people take care out there."

In Germantown, Thursday is expected to be sunny but windy, with gusts as high as 40 mph. But there's snow in the forecast for Saturday, according to the NWS.

With winter in full bloom, the SHA is also reminding travelers to keep an emergency kit in their car at all times, with items such as:

• a shovel
• jumper cables
• snacks
• blanket or sleeping bag
• flashlight with extra batteries
• high calorie non-perishable food
• first aid kit
• extra clothes
• bottled water
• a charged cell phone
• kitty litter or other abrasives

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Patch Editor Tiffany Arnold Contributed to this report