news 4's derek ward is live in frederick with more. good morning, derek. looks like you have quite the coating out there so far. >> reporter: well, indeed, we do. this has been here for a while. this actually fell on about wednesday. i don't know if the camera can pick it up now, but there is some precipitation falling now. it seems to be sleet. when we got here, there was a bit of sleet falling. it's cold enough here where it's sort of staying on the ground. it's hitting the ground and bouncing, but you can't make it out because of all the old snow. i can tell you that the roads have been treated all along 270 between the district and frederick. there is no problem getting around. you will see snowplows out, not actually plowing, but spreading salt and chemicals on the road to keep them passable. as you heard from veronica, the atmosphere is pretty dry, so what may appear on radar, may not be hitting the ground. again, we are seeing some here but nothing new and significant at this point. of course, as we hear, that could all change later. it will mix in

news 4's derek ward has been on the roads this morning monitoring the conditions. derek, what have you seen so far? >> reporter: well, so far, not a lot. we did see some flakes at about 5:00 this morning. this is what we've seen a lot of. these trucks with their flashing lights at the ready to treat the roads. some roads have been treated. early this morning, i saw some of that coming in the district and here in montgomery county. so not a lot they can do now, but they're ready if the conditions should change. we're kind of in a hole right now, but as that hole passes, we'll start to see some precipitation. prudence is the order of the day. >> derek, thank you. >>> road crews around d.c. worked for hours to get ahead of the snow. here's a live look at constitution at 23rd street. yesterday, d-dot announced they would have 200 plows and salt trucks ready to go this morning. the plan, pretreating bridges and overpasses that are prone to icy conditions first. and here's a look in alexandria. that's where they plan to use salt from the brand new salt dome that holds mor

over to the live desk with derek ward. >> good morning. iraqi officials say a parked car bomb killed three people and wounded 21 south of baghdad. now, a police officer says that the explosion took place in a busy street in a southern city where local government offices are located. accounts also say the blast occurred as pilgrims were making a trip to a nearby holy site. not sure how many were among the casualties. it's about 60 miles south of baghdad. derrick ward, live at the news desk. >>> it's down to the wire. less than 24 hours from the miss cliff deadline. congress is reportedly inching closer toward a deal. the house will reconvene at 9:00 this morning. the senate will return to capitol hill at 11:00 a.m. talks hit a standstill yesterday after mitch mcconnell proposed social security cuts. democrats rejected the plan, aides say. there has been what they call constructive movement on key issues like taxes, including a compromise on where to set higher rates for wealthier americans and avoid a jump in inheritance taxes. vice preside

derek ward is live with more on what's happening today. >> the end is near. that's the end of the year, of course. what about the path that ends at the end of the fiscal cliff. senators should be back at it. the house reconvened this morning. such new year's eve appearances are on the hill. senate minority leader mitch mcconnell and joe biden kept in place to avoid $200 billion in tax increases. broad stroke spending cuts and domestic and defense spending. they would take effect gradually over a period beginning at midnight if the white house and congress can't reconcile their differences. it appeared to have been movement on the cost of living increases for social security recipients. opposition to the white house's proposed rate of increase was dropped but the common ground is even shaky. the fierce disagreement over whether the bush era tax cut with the top income earners should be allowed to expire while middle income earners would see tax relief. the sticking point is over where the income line should be separating those who should continue to see the ta

i'm derek ward. i'll have details coming up on news 4. >> thanks, derek.. we're monitoring the system's impact beyond our region. this is a live look where the flakes are just starting to fall in new york city. >> and you can also help us tell this weather story. all you have to do is tweet us your pictures to news 4 today. mark actually just did. [ singing christmas carols in background ] aunt sally's singing again. it's a tradition, honey. [ singing christmas carols ] mmmm. [ female announcer ] make new traditions with pillsbury grands! cinnamon rolls. [ female announcer ] holiday cookies are a big job. everything has to be just right. perfection is in the details. ♪ get to holiday fun faster with pillsbury cookie dough. >>> storm team 4 radar already picking up winter weather in the area. that big storm is rolling our way right now. >> a live look outside. now we are in for a nasty mix of rain, snow, and strong winds to start off the weekend. it's going to be be coming down in the next few hours. good morning. i'm richard jordan. >> and i'm angie goff.