New York, NY – Drivers in parts of the lower Hudson Valley and northern New Jersey could encounter icy roads by 5 a.m. Friday as freezing rain mixes with light snow just in time for the morning commute.
According to the National Weather Service in New York, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 5 a.m. to noon Friday for Western Passaic County in New Jersey and Orange and Putnam counties in New York. Ice accumulations will range from a light glaze to up to one-tenth of an inch in higher elevations, with less than 1 inch of snow and sleet expected.
Elevated stretches of Interstate 84 in Orange County, Route 6 through Putnam County and higher terrain in West Milford and Ringwood may become slick before sunrise. Even a thin coating of ice can freeze bridges and untreated secondary roads, increasing the risk of spinouts between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.
New York State DOT and New Jersey DOT crews are expected to pre-treat major highways, but drivers should slow down, leave extra stopping distance and allow more travel time. Sidewalks and parking lots may also become slippery.
Conditions should gradually improve by midday as temperatures rise above freezing, though shaded areas could remain slick into the afternoon. Motorists should check local DOT travel updates before heading out.
