Morning commuters throughout the metro area will encounter a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain, making driving conditions hazardous.

The National Weather Service posted winter weather advisories for most of Maryland, except for the Eastern Shore, lasting from 3 a.m. until noon on Thursday. Western Maryland will remain under the advisory throughout the day, the weather service said in its advisory.

No travel advisories have been posted online by the Maryland Department of Transportation this evening. Advisories are expected to be issued as temperatures plummet and precipitation moves into the state.

Forecasters are calling for icy precipitation to turn to rain around midday with highs in the upper 30s. Prognosticators say another winter storm could arrive in the area by the weekend.