Maryland, Virginia and District officials urged motorists to stay off roadways through Monday morning as a winter storm brought dangerous driving conditions to the region.

       Ahead of the storm, Washington on Sunday recorded its lowest temperatures — Reagan National Airport dipped to 17 degrees — in nearly three years, according to the Capital Weather Gang. Snow began to blanket the region Sunday afternoon, although forecasters expected temperatures to rise through the evening hours, changing the snow to ice before ending as rain.

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       According to the observer at Reagan National Airport, 2.6 inches fell there, bringing its monthly total to 12.2 inches, more than double the norm. It’s now the snowiest January in the District since 2016.

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       As temperatures hovered well below freezing Sunday, several vehicle crashes were reported across the region. Virginia State Police had responded to 369 crashes and 282 disabled vehicles through 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Authorities said few incidents involved injuries and none were fatal.

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       D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) activated the city’s snow response team, which pretreated roads with a mixture of brine and beet juice. Snowplows were in position Sunday morning, city officials said. The city expected 85 percent of major roads to be clear within six hours of when the snow stops and 85 percent of residential streets within 12 hours.

       Capital Weather Gang updates on the winter storm

       The Virginia Department of Transportation said it pretreated interstates, major roads, bridges and ramps with brine Friday and Saturday and had more than 3,800 pieces of equipment ready to clear roads in Northern Virginia. Wind and ice could cause downed trees, branches and power lines, and students at Virginia colleges and universities returning from winter break were urged to plan travel around the storm, VDOT said.

       Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said the state had completed its road preparations and that officials and contractors were on standby to respond to flooded roads, downed trees and power lines.

       Smithsonian Institution museums in the Washington area and the National Zoo closed at 2 p.m. Sunday because of the storm. The storm also was responsible for numerous flight cancellations in the Washington region and along the East Coast. More than 2,900 U.S. flights were canceled Sunday.

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       Even with many roads treated, the storm was creating headaches for motorists with reports of crashes across the region. Those who must drive were urged to bring a vehicle emergency kit that includes water, a flashlight and blankets.

       “Keeping the roads clear not only keeps you safe, it also gives crews and first responders room to carry out their duties,” Hogan said.

       Earlier this month, a winter storm overwhelmed VDOT’s efforts to keep Interstate 95 clear, causing a roughly 40-mile backup that left hundreds of motorists stranded overnight, including Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.). A 34-year-old man died in Louisa County after leaving his broken-down vehicle and attempting to walk home.

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       As snow rolled in, VDOT emphasized its preparedness along the same stretch of I-95, saying it had 130 pieces of equipment plowing and treating the highway, along with six heavy-duty towing crews.

       Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott (D) had a little fun with his warning, telling residents they should “sit back, relax” and watch the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Baltimore Ravens’ rival Pittsburgh Steelers in a playoff game. He also warned of possible flooding in the Inner Harbor area.

       correction

       This story briefly indicated the Ravens were playing the Steelers today. Those two teams met last Sunday.