Boston, Massachusetts – Roads across interior southern New England will turn slick by 5 p.m. Thursday as rain flips to a wintry mix and freezing rain, threatening the evening commute along I-90 and I-495. Drivers heading west of Boston should expect deteriorating conditions within hours as temperatures drop.
According to the National Weather Service in Boston/Norton, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 5 p.m. Thursday through noon Friday for much of interior Massachusetts, northern Connecticut, and northern Rhode Island. Rain will transition to snow and sleet before changing to freezing rain late Thursday evening. Ice accumulations from a trace up to 0.30 inches are possible, with the highest totals in elevated terrain. Snow and sleet may total a coating to 2 inches before the changeover.
Worcester, Fitchburg, and Greenfield could see icy coatings on untreated roads and sidewalks Thursday night. Along I-91 in Springfield and I-84 near Hartford, freezing rain may create glaze conditions on bridges and overpasses before daybreak Friday. While Boston and the immediate South Shore are expected to remain mostly rain, colder air inland will support more impactful icing.
The Thursday evening and Friday morning commutes face the greatest disruption. Slow down, allow extra braking distance, and avoid sudden lane changes on untreated highways such as I-290 and I-395. Charge devices in case isolated power outages occur where ice accretion is heavier.
Precipitation tapers from west to east Friday afternoon, though patchy freezing drizzle may linger in the interior into Friday evening. Additional advisories could be issued if icing becomes more widespread overnight.
