Albany, NY – A powerful arctic front sweeping across the Northeast on Thursday is expected to produce dangerous snow squalls from Pennsylvania to Maine, creating hazardous travel conditions throughout the day, according to the Weather Prediction Center (WPC).
The setup could spark multiple fast-moving bands of intense snowfall, causing instant whiteouts, sudden drops in visibility, and rapidly forming icy road surfaces. Forecasters warn these conditions may develop with little notice, leaving drivers vulnerable if caught on the road.
According to the WPC, the highest risk stretches from central and northern New York through Vermont and New Hampshire, but the broader corridor—including Pennsylvania, western Massachusetts, and parts of Maine—may also experience brief but severe squalls as the arctic boundary sweeps southeast.
Timing
The front is expected to move from northwest to southeast between Thursday morning and late afternoon, impacting major travel routes such as I-80, I-81, I-87, I-89, I-91, I-93, and the Maine Turnpike. Officials caution that snow squalls may form ahead of the main front and dissipate quickly, but can still create extremely dangerous conditions.
Why Snow Squalls Are So Hazardous
Snow squalls are short-lived but intense bursts of heavy snow accompanied by strong winds and plummeting visibility. They can cause chain-reaction crashes when drivers enter whiteout conditions too quickly to slow down. The WPC urges motorists: If you cannot exit the roadway safely, slow down, turn on headlights, and avoid sudden braking.
Residents from Pennsylvania to Maine are encouraged to monitor updates through Thursday morning as conditions can change rapidly.
