MANCHESTER - It is a messy, slow drive for New Hampshire motorists across the state today as a wintry mix of rain, snow and sleet covers the state.

Laura McCarthy, operations supervisor for the state's Traffic Management Center in Concord, said about 7 a.m. Monday that motorists should reduce speeds to 45 mph on all state highways. About 7 a.m., she said traffic was moving, although there were some fender-benders but no major tie-ups.

"People are taking it slow and that's a good thing," she said.

In the city, emergency crews were on the scene of a crash at 584 River Road where a vehicle hit a utility pole, splitting it in two.

More than 300 schools delayed opening by 90 minutes to two hours, or canceled classes, according to WMUR-TV.

A winter advisory is in effect for southern New Hampshire, where the National Weather Service forecast freezing rain and sleet changing to all freezing rain after 9 a.m. It is expected to turn to rain Monday night.

The Lakes and Upper Valley can expect about 2-4 inches of snow, while up to 7 inches is expected to fall in the White Mountain National Forest.