Hundreds of thousands of residents in the Northeast were urged to use caution while driving this weekend as freezing rain is expected to coat local roadways with a thin sheet of ice.
The heaviest freezing rain will fall during the overnight hours on Saturday, before colder weather causes precipitation to fall mainly as snow on Sunday, National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Maureen Hastings told Newsweek.
Why It Matters
Travelers and residents across New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire are being warned to prepare for hazardous conditions as winter weather advisories take effect this weekend.
The NWS expects freezing rain and mixed precipitation, increasing the risks of slippery roads, sidewalks, and power outages. These advisories, covering large portions of the Northeast, highlight an early-season challenge for transportation and public safety, impacting hundreds of thousands ahead of the busy holiday travel period.
What To Know
According to bulletins from the NWS Albany, New York, and NWS Burlington, Vermont, offices, winter weather advisories have been issued for numerous counties in New York and Vermont. Warnings are in place from Saturday evening through early Sunday morning, with specific timing and accumulations varying by region.
In Northern New York, the winter weather advisory issued by the NWS Albany office covers Hamilton, Bennington, Windham, Warren and Fulton counties. Freezing rain is projected, with ice accumulations ranging from a light glaze to one tenth of an inch.
The advisory is scheduled from 4 p.m. Saturday until 1 a.m. Sunday. Arease such as Bolton Landing, Sabattis, Warrensburg, Long Lake, Wells, Hoffmeister, Hague, North River, North Creek, Caroga Lake, and Johnsburg, among others, are included in the warning area.
NWS Burlington has issued winter weather advisories that affect Franklin, St. Lawrence, Clinton, and Essex counties.
Expected precipitation includes up to two tenths of an inch of ice and as much as one inch of snow. Beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday, advisories extend to 7 a.m. Sunday in some areas. Impacted cities include St. Johnsbury, Montpelier, and others.
New Hampshire’s warnings were issued by the NWS office in Gray, Maine. Carroll, Grafton, and Coos counties will be impacted, including the cities of Conway, York Pond, Holderness, Woodstock, Bethlehem, Lyme, Milan, and Albany, among others. This advisory also goes into effect on Saturday night and will remain in place through Sunday morning.
NWS bulletins warn that sidewalks, roads, bridges, and driveways may become very slippery, increasing the likelihood of vehicular accidents.
What People Are Saying
NWS Gray, Maine, in a winter weather advisory: “Difficult travel conditions are possible due to icy road conditions. This is especially true on untreated side roads. Even light snowfall amounts can accumulate on roads and cause dangerous driving conditions due to snow covered roads.”
NWS Burlington, Vermont, in a winter weather advisory: “Be prepared for slippery roads. Slow down and use caution while driving. If you are going outside, watch your first few steps taken on stairs, sidewalks, and driveways. These surfaces could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.”
What Happens Next?
Weather advisories remain in effect into Sunday morning, with authorities continuing to monitor system changes as the freezing rain and snow move through the region. Residents are encouraged to closely follow updates from the NWS and local emergency management agencies.
For those who must drive, advisories stress the importance of slowing down, allowing extra travel time, and equipping vehicles with emergency kits. Pedestrians are urged to exercise caution, as thin layers of ice on walkways can be hazardous.
