Springfield, MA – Holiday travelers along Interstate 91 may face sudden snow bursts and rapidly changing road conditions between Saturday, December 7, and Friday, December 13, according to early guidance from the National Weather Service (NWS). Several fast-moving disturbances are expected to pass through the region and could disrupt travel along key stretches of the interstate.
According to the NWS, quick-forming systems tied to the Alberta Clipper pattern may slide across Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut during the early holiday travel window. These disturbances are known for developing suddenly and can bring brief but intense periods of snow, reduced visibility, and quick pavement icing.
The greatest impacts may occur along I-91 near Brattleboro, Northampton, Springfield, Holyoke, Greenfield, and Hartford, where elevation changes and colder morning temperatures may intensify the effects of snow bursts. Even minor bursts can cause abrupt slowdowns, especially in tighter curves and on higher-speed rural segments.
Forecasters emphasize that the issue is not large snow totals, but the speed at which conditions can deteriorate. A burst that lasts only a few minutes may still produce slippery surfaces and sudden visibility drops that catch drivers off guard.
With holiday traffic picking up, the NWS recommends that motorists traveling between Vermont and Connecticut monitor updated forecasts closely and allow extra time along I-91 during the December 7–13 period. Additional disturbances may approach with limited warning.
