Boston, Massachusetts – A burst of snow and sleet will switch to freezing rain Thursday evening, setting the stage for icy roads and possible power outages before the Friday morning commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Boston/Norton, a Winter Weather Advisory runs from 5 p.m. Thursday until noon Friday for much of eastern and central Massachusetts, northern Connecticut and northwest Rhode Island. Most areas could see up to 2 inches of snow and sleet, followed by ice accumulations up to one-tenth of an inch. In higher terrain, including Worcester County, northwest Middlesex County and Tolland and Windham counties in Connecticut, ice totals may reach one-quarter to one-third of an inch.
In Boston, Cambridge, Lowell and Springfield, roads may turn slick after sunset Thursday as temperatures fall. Elevated roadways along I-90, I-93 and Route 128 could ice over first. In Worcester, Fitchburg and the eastern slopes of the Berkshires, heavier icing may weigh down tree limbs and power lines overnight.
Drivers should slow down and allow extra time Thursday night and early Friday. Charge devices and prepare for isolated outages in areas expecting thicker ice.
Precipitation tapers late Friday morning, but slippery conditions may linger. Additional advisories could follow if icing expands.
