Boston, Massachusetts — A Winter Weather Advisory will bring snow, sleet, and ice to parts of southern New England beginning late Thursday afternoon, potentially creating hazardous travel during two major commuting periods.
According to the National Weather Service in Boston/Norton, the advisory remains in effect from 5 p.m. Thursday until noon Friday across portions of northern Connecticut, eastern and western Massachusetts, and northern Rhode Island.
Forecasters say the storm will bring mixed precipitation, including snow, sleet, and freezing rain, across the region.
Snow and sleet accumulations are expected to range from a coating up to 2 inches in western Massachusetts, while northeastern Massachusetts could see up to 4 inches. Ice accumulation is also possible, with around one-tenth of an inch expected in some areas, which can create slick surfaces on untreated roads, sidewalks, and bridges.
Cities included in the advisory area include Boston, Cambridge, Lowell, Lawrence, Framingham, Northampton, Amherst, Springfield, Hartford, Gloucester, Foxborough, and Smithfield, among others.
The timing of the system may cause travel issues during both the Thursday evening commute and the Friday morning commute, when temperatures near or below freezing could allow precipitation to freeze on roadways.
Transportation officials typically warn that even small amounts of ice can significantly increase stopping distances and lead to crashes, particularly on elevated roadways and untreated secondary streets.
Drivers are advised to slow down, allow extra travel time, and use caution while traveling, especially overnight and early Friday.
The advisory is expected to expire around noon Friday as precipitation tapers and temperatures gradually rise.
For students, commuters, and early-shift workers, conditions may change quickly during the overnight hours into Friday morning.
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