Snow arrives with less fury than forecast

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The winter storm that had residents crowding into grocery stores and gas stations in preparation was late in arriving yesterday but eventually became an imposing afternoon guest -- causing widespread delays, traffic accidents and canceled flights and closing much of the region before nightfall.

As much as 5 inches of snow blanketed the metropolitan area by late afternoon, when the storm moved into the Atlantic.

Western Maryland saw the most accumulation in the region's first major snowfall of the year with up to 8 inches.

"We are still expecting a few flurries in the morning hours," said Jackie Hale of the National Weather Service in Sterling, Va.

However, the bigger concern will be temperatures in the 20s and wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

Forecasters initially predicted up to 10 inches in the Washington area as the storm roared in from the Midwest. Storm warnings were posted from Wisconsin to New England, where as much as 20 inches and blizzard conditions were expected.

The D.C. Department of Transportation had more than 180 snow vehicles clearing and treating streets by 9 a.m., and crews were expected to remain on duty through last night and today, spokesman Bill Rice said.

"We are very conscious of the Monday rush hour," he said.

Police reported dozens of traffic accidents, but had no official numbers.

The most serious accident occurred about 11:30 a.m. in Montgomery County, where a Ride On bus skidded into a bus shelter at New Hampshire Avenue and Merwood Drive, injuring a 70-year-old Pennsylvania man.