Boston, Massachusetts – Ice-coated roads and the risk of scattered power outages are increasing across central and western New England as freezing rain continues through the night.
According to the National Weather Service in Boston/Norton, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 7 a.m. Wednesday for northern Connecticut, much of central and western Massachusetts and northern Rhode Island. Total snow accumulations up to 2 inches are expected, along with ice accretion around one tenth of an inch.
The combination of sleet and freezing rain is creating hazardous travel from Hartford and Willimantic to Worcester, Springfield and Lowell. Elevated surfaces, including bridges and overpasses, are most prone to icing. Areas such as Fitchburg, Greenfield and the Berkshires may see enough ice to weigh down tree limbs and power lines, increasing the chance of isolated outages overnight.
Road conditions are likely to worsen during the evening commute and remain slick into early Wednesday morning. Drivers should reduce speed and allow extra stopping distance. Keep phones charged in case of scattered outages.
Precipitation tapers toward daybreak Wednesday, but icy patches may linger through the morning commute as temperatures hover near freezing.
