WASHINGTON (CBSDC/AP) — Most of the Washington area will avoid snow Thursday night, but the National Weather Service says southern Maryland could see accumulations up to 4 inches.

Snow initially was expected to begin falling in the D.C. area between 4 and 6 p.m. but temperatures likely are to stay above freezing, meaning any precipitation that does fall will be rain, according to the NWS.

The NWS cancelled the winter weather advisory it previously had issued for the D.C. area for much of Thursday. However, a winter weather advisory remains in effect south of Washington in St. Mary’s, Charles and Calvert counties and meteorologists predict 2 to 4 inches of snow in those counties.

A dusting to an inch of wet snow is possible in District and the immediate metro area, but snow is unlikely to accumulate on roadways.

The system will move out of the area by early morning.

Officials caution roads may refreeze overnight, causing a treacherous Friday morning commute.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) says it pre-treated Interstates 66, 95, 395, and 495 with liquid magnesium chloride. Other major thoroughfares have been treated with salt brine.

Up to about 650 trucks will be on hand to treat roads in northern Virginia throughout the storm.

VDOT crews adding salt to the piles here this morning, getting ready. @WNEWNews http://t.co/KjzdvtMl—
John Domen (@JDonWNEW) January 17, 2013

Pepco officials say they have 150 internal linemen and more than 400 contractors available if need be. Those crews also may head south provide mutual assistance to utilities where the snow is forecast to have a greater impact.

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WNEW’s John Domen contributed to this report. Follow him and WNEW on Twitter.