Montgomery County Winter Storm Watch: What's Open, Closed

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — The second day of spring will bring steady snow throughout the day, with three to seven inches expected in Montgomery County. Montgomery County Government is closed Wednesday, along with Montgomery County Public Schools.

The area is under a Winter Storm Warning issued by the National Weather Service. The warning calls for mixed precipitation becoming all snow at 11 a.m.

The warning is in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday. Snow is likely Wednesday night, mainly before 11 p.m.

So far, we're seeing a dusting in the region, but things are starting to pick up, says the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang.

"Per our forecasts yesterday, never expected much before 4-8am," Capital Weather Gang said on Twitter at 6:30 a.m. "So yes this 1st wave of mixed precip is arriving on time. That said we may be looking at low end of our forecast (which was already one of the lowest). Assessing now."

Update: 11:42 a.m.: The storm continues to rage, and the National Weather Service says we could see up to 8 inches:

Update 11:24 a.m.: A total of 3-4 inches has fallen all around the D.C. region already, and it's still coming down.

Here are the latest closings in Montgomery County:

• Montgomery County Government is closed. Essential personnel must report at their regularly scheduled times.
• County facilities, other than Public Safety facilities, are closed.
• City offices of Gaithersburg, Rockville and Takoma Park are closed Wednesday.
• Montgomery County Public Libraries and offices are closed Wednesday. All scheduled events and programs are cancelled.
• Montgomery Parks' offices and facilities are closed Wednesday.
• County provided recycling and trash collections for Wednesday residents have been postponed until Thursday. Thursday residents will be serviced on Friday.

Drivers should be aware that wintry weather could affect roads Tuesday and Wednesday. MCDOT is currently salting emergency and primary routes throughout the County.

Ride On Bus is operating under the S Service Plan Wednesday. Riders are asked to check the website for route schedules and expect delays.

Parking in County garages is free Wednesday due to weather.

AAA offers the following tips for driving on snowy or icy roads:

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly; it takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Turn the steering wheel in the direction your wheels are going if you start to skid. Do not hit brakes or gas.
• Increase following distance.
• Use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don't stop if you can help it. Slow down enough to stay moving until a traffic light changes.
• Don't speed up or stop going uphill. Try to get momentum going on a flat surface before you reach a hill and let inertia carry you to the top. At the crest of the hill, reduce your speed. Proceed as slowly as possible.

Important Maryland Utility Numbers Include:

• PEPCO: 1-877-737-2662
• Baltimore Gas and Electric (BG&E): 1-877-778-2222 or 1-800-685-0123
• First Energy/Potomac Edison: 1-888-544-4877
• SMECO: 1-877-747-6326 or 1-888-440-3311
• Washington Gas: 1-800-752-7520
• Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission: 1-800-828-4002

For more information about closings and snow-removal operations, visit the county’s snow information website here. Residents can also call 311 or 240-777-0311.