Albany, NY – Drivers across eastern New York, western Massachusetts and southern Vermont have less than 24 hours before snow and ice begin coating major highways by midday Wednesday, threatening the evening commute with up to 6 inches of accumulation and pockets of freezing rain.
According to the National Weather Service in Albany, a Winter Weather Advisory takes effect at noon Wednesday and continues until 4 a.m. Thursday for the Capital District, Mohawk Valley, Schoharie County, Lake George-Saratoga region, the Berkshires and southern Vermont. Snow totals will range from 2 to 6 inches in most areas, while communities south of Interstate 90 could see up to one-tenth of an inch of ice.
Impacts will stretch from Herkimer and Hamilton counties in the Adirondacks to Albany, Schenectady, Troy and Saratoga Springs. I-87, I-90 and Route 7 may turn snow-covered by late afternoon. In Greene, Columbia and western Ulster counties, including Catskill, Hudson and Ellenville, a rain-to-freezing-rain transition could create a thin glaze before changing to snow Wednesday night. Southern Berkshire County and Bennington, Vermont, could see icy bridges before temperatures drop below freezing.
Road crews will pre-treat highways, but drivers should expect reduced visibility and slick overpasses after sunset. Slow down, allow extra braking distance and charge devices in case of isolated power outages.
Snow tapers off before dawn Thursday, but icy patches could linger into the morning commute. Advisories remain in effect until 4 a.m. Thursday.
