Boston, Massachusetts – Roads across southern New England could quickly become slick this evening as freezing rain and sleet move in around the evening commute, raising concerns for icy travel and scattered power outages overnight.
According to the National Weather Service in Boston/Norton, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from 5 p.m. Thursday until noon Friday for parts of Massachusetts, northern Connecticut, and northern Rhode Island, including Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Hartford, Cambridge, Lowell, and Providence-area communities.
The storm is expected to begin as freezing rain and sleet this evening, creating a thin but dangerous glaze of ice on roads and sidewalks. Many areas could see around 0.1 inches of ice, while the southern Berkshires and southern Worcester Hills may receive up to 0.3 inches, enough to bring down tree limbs and potentially knock out power.
Snow and sleet totals will vary across the region. Northeastern Massachusetts, including Essex County communities like Gloucester and Lawrence, could see up to 4 inches, while western Massachusetts may receive a coating to 2 inches.
Major travel corridors including Interstate 90, Interstate 93 through Boston, and Interstate 84 near Hartford could become hazardous tonight and during the Friday morning commute.
Officials urge drivers to slow down, avoid sudden braking, and prepare for icy sidewalks and parking lots.
Slippery conditions may persist into late Friday morning before temperatures gradually improve toward midday.
