Stubborn winter won't let go

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Winter-weary motorists faced another potentially treacherous commute Monday morning in parts of the Mid-Atlantic, as frigid weather blew in just days before the start of spring.

Snow was falling or expected early Monday from the Central Appalachians to the Jersey Shore. Parts of eastern West Virginia, central and west-central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley could see up to 10 inches. Smaller accumulations were expected in Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. Parts of Southern Virginia and North Carolina braced for a slippery mix of rain, sleet and snow.

It was snowing overnight in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Atlantic, City, N.J., among other places.

In snow-covered Stafford County, Va., a bus flipped on its side on Interstate 95 early Monday, and police closed all southbound lanes, reports CBS Richmond affiliate WTVR. It says all 54 passengers were taken to area hospitals, and four were reported to have serious, though not life-threatening injuries. The cause of the incident was under investigation.

Forecasters warned that travel in the snowy areas could be dangerous and urged drivers not to let their guards down. Federal offices in the Washington area were closed for the day Monday.

Patience was wearing thin for many.

"Never thought of March as being spring. But snow, yeah, I'm over snow," said Jackie Denham, at a grocery store in Alexandria, Va., on Sunday.

Rain and thunderstorms were expected in the Southeast, some of which could be strong.

Winter's return follows several days of spring-like temperatures. With spring officially starting Thursday, people weary of shoveling snow are hoping that the latest storm will be winter's final encore.

Ricardo Contreras, an upholsterer from Harrisburg, Pa., said he was tired of the winter and had no plans to shovel whatever might fall overnight.

"I'll just let it melt by itself," Contreras said.

Engineer Bill Bingham, heading into the West Shore Plaza in Lemoyne, Pa., for Sunday breakfast, said he was most looking forward to playing some golf for the first time in many months.

"I really like the winter, but I'm done with the snow now," Bingham said. "I'm ready for spring."

Richard Windsor of Jackson, N.J., said he was not that impressed by the new storm system. Several previous storms this season dropped 10 or more inches of snow in the state.

"With the winter we've had, I'm not worried about an inch or two of snow," Windsor said as he gassed up his sport utility vehicle Sunday morning. "I figure if I made it through the stronger storms, I can handle this."

Temperatures in many areas are expected to be in tune with spring by Thursday. But forecasters cannot say whether winter weather will finally end. Forecasters said snowstorms are typical through March.