Updated 10:30 a.m. More snow — as much as 4 inches — is expected across Montgomery County before dusk Sunday as state and county crews clear roads and highways from up to 5 inches of snow that fell overnight.
Community activities scheduled in school buildings on Sunday have been canceled and a number of churches called off worship as the first snowstorm of winter arrived Saturday afternoon.
Montgomery County announced mid-morning that government facilities, such as libraries and community centers, would be closed Sunday.
A winter storm warning issued Friday was extended until midnight Sunday when the storm systems that brought nearly 6 inches of snow overnight to parts of the county move to the northeast.
The National Weather Service said up to 4 inches of new snow could arrive by 6 p.m., with an additional dusting after dark. At mid-morning, the weather service said some areas south of Washington could receive a foot of snow by the time the storm moves away.
Major roads in the county, including the Beltway and Interstate 270, were wet or slush-covered in spots Sunday morning.
Most residential roads were snow covered and under Montgomery County snow-removal protocol, smaller roads are plowed after precipitation ends.
Typically after a 3-inch snowfall, it takes crews at least 16 hours to make one pass on neighborhood streets, according to the county’s transportation department.
By sunrise Sunday, snow totals of 4.7 inches in Germantown, 5.6 inches in Rockville and 4 inches in Northwest Washington near the Montgomery County line had been measured by National Weather Service observers.
Authorities said there were no reports of serious accidents, as drivers heeded requests to stay off the roads, and the region’s three airports were open, with some spotty flight delays reported.
With temperatures expected to hover near freezing, authorities cautioned about slippery conditions on roads and sidewalks and said refreezing of treated roadways could occur.
The heaviest of the snow was south and west of Washington in Southern Maryland and Northern Virginia, according to forecasters.
