Snow Coating Cripples DC Commute, Leaves Drivers Stranded

WASHINGTON (WJZ)—The D.C.-Metro area got a nasty taste of what's to come this weekend. Chaos on the roads prevailed -- after just an inch of snow fell Wednesday night.

Tracey Leong reported for WJZ on the mayhem.

If Wednesday night is any indication of what we'll see this weekend, then you need to start planning ahead and avoid being outside at all costs.

Following the brief burst of snow, traffic sat at a standstill for miles.

There were collisions and spinouts, all from the inch of snow and black ice that coated the DC area.

It's an ugly preview of what's to come when the region is expected to be pounded with as much as two feet of snow.

Many of the roads were not pre-treated which attributed to the crippling conditions.

"What we experienced last evening from this snow event was nowhere near what the forecast had been for the weather in Maryland," said Pete Rahn, Secretary of Transportation.

After sitting for more than five hours, some chose to ditch their cars and walk home instead.

"I hope they would have anticipated this better and treated the roads," said one driver.

It's a nightmare people are hoping to not re-live, as the area prepares for one of the worst blizzards in recent history.

FIRST WARNING WX: State of Emergency Declared; Blizzard Warning Issued For This Weekend | TIPS: Planning Ahead | Current Conditions | Blizzard Blog | Download The App | School Closings