New York – Headlights blur through mist and drizzle this morning as temperatures hover near freezing across the Capital Region. Pavement looks merely wet, but patches of ice are quietly forming in colder spots.
Pockets of freezing rain are possible early today, especially across Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and surrounding counties. Side streets, untreated parking lots, and highway ramps are the biggest concern. Travel conditions may turn slick quickly through the morning hours, even where roads appear clear.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures sit near 32 degrees in several locations, allowing light rain to freeze on contact. The risk is highest on elevated surfaces and lesser-traveled roads. Drivers should slow down and allow extra braking distance, particularly on I-87 and local on-ramps.
By late morning, surface temperatures gradually rise. Rain tapers and clouds linger into the afternoon. Highs reach the upper 30s, helping improve road conditions, though shaded areas may remain icy. Tonight stays mostly cloudy and calmer, with lows near freezing.
Thursday brings a quieter stretch. Skies turn partly sunny, and highs climb into the low 40s. That brief break sets the stage for a wetter pattern heading toward the end of the workweek.
Rain becomes more likely Friday, with temperatures pushing into the mid-40s. Wet pavement and occasional gusts may slow travel during the afternoon commute. Friday night turns cooler but remains mostly rain.
The weekend stays unsettled. Periods of rain continue Saturday, with highs in the mid-40s. By Sunday, cooler air sneaks back in. Rain showers mix at times, and temperatures settle into the low 40s. Any leftover moisture could refreeze late Sunday night, renewing black ice concerns.
Early next week trends drier and colder, with highs falling back into the 30s as January 2026 daylight slowly increases.
Seeing icy patches where you are? Share conditions from your neighborhood.
Five-Day Outlook for Albany, New York
- Today: Freezing rain early, then cloudy; high near 39
- Thursday: Partly sunny; high near 41
- Friday: Rain likely; high near 45
- Saturday: Rain likely; high near 44
- Sunday: Chance of rain; high near 42
