BURLINGTON, Vt. – A dull gray sky stretches across Lake Champlain this morning, the kind that hints at a shift beneath the calm. Pavement glistens with leftover moisture, and a light west wind carries that unmistakable early-winter bite — a clear sign that Vermont’s quiet stretch is about to end.
According to the National Weather Service in Burlington, a Hazardous Weather Outlook remains in place for northern New York and much of Vermont through early next week. Periods of rain and snow will continue today and Thursday, mixing at times as warmer air tries to nudge into the region. While snow accumulations should stay minor, slick spots are likely early Thursday, especially across Franklin, Lamoille, and Chittenden counties.
By Friday night, temperatures slide below freezing, setting the stage for a tricky transition. Forecasters warn that a brief window of freezing rain could develop late Saturday into early Sunday — particularly in the Adirondacks and eastern Vermont foothills. Even light ice could make rural roads hazardous for early travelers and hunters heading out at daybreak.
Residents should allow extra commute time Thursday morning and stay alert to temperature swings through the weekend. Keep windshields clear, charge devices in case of power flickers, and avoid unnecessary mountain travel during mixed precipitation periods.
Looking ahead, another cold push may arrive just before Thanksgiving, signaling the start of a more sustained early-winter pattern across the North Country. For now, Vermonters can expect a slushy, stop-and-start stretch of November weather — a true prelude to what’s coming.
Five-Day Forecast for Burlington, VT:
Thu: 39/29 – Rain/snow mix; slippery roads early, gusty west winds.
Fri: 38/25 – Chance of snow showers; cloudy, cold breeze.
Sat: 37/28 – Freezing rain possible early; partly sunny later.
Sun: 43/34 – Rain likely; raw and breezy.
Mon: 37/30 – Cloudy; lingering flurries, colder pattern returns.
