Boston, Massachusetts – Drivers across Massachusetts have less than a few hours to prepare as snow and ice move in by midday Tuesday, threatening the evening commute on I-90, I-95 and I-495 with up to 0.2 inches of ice and 2 inches of snow before daybreak Wednesday.
According to the National Weather Service in Boston, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from noon Tuesday until 7 a.m. Wednesday for areas north and west of I-95, including central and western Massachusetts, northern Connecticut and northwest Rhode Island. Snow develops early Tuesday afternoon, transitioning to freezing rain and pockets of sleet by late afternoon and evening.
Statewide, snowfall totals will range from a coating to 2 inches, with the highest amounts across Worcester County, the Berkshires and into the Merrimack Valley. Ice accumulation may reach one-tenth to two-tenths of an inch in elevated terrain, enough to create slick overpasses and untreated secondary roads.
In Boston, precipitation becomes steady between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., with icy stretches possible along Route 128 and the Southeast Expressway after 7 p.m. Worcester and Springfield face the greatest icing risk along I-290, I-91 and the Mass Pike through midnight. Hartford and Providence could see freezing rain linger into the early morning hours Wednesday.
MassDOT crews are pre-treating highways, but officials urge drivers to slow down, increase following distance and avoid non-essential travel during peak icing Tuesday evening. Side streets and bridges will freeze first as temperatures hover near 32 degrees.
Precipitation tapers off before sunrise Wednesday, but black ice may persist into the morning commute. Additional advisories could be issued if ice totals trend higher overnight.
