Burlington, Vermont — A late-season cold snap will settle over Vermont starting Friday, May 8, bringing freezing overnight temperatures, gusty winds, and periods of rain that could disrupt travel and damage vegetation across Burlington, Montpelier, Rutland, St. Albans, and Brattleboro.
According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, temperatures will run 50–60% below normal through May 14, with the coldest air arriving Friday night. The most critical window is from 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. Saturday, when temperatures are expected to fall to or below 32 degrees across much of the state.
That drop will create immediate impacts. Frost and localized ice patches may develop on elevated roadways, including stretches of I-89 near Montpelier and I-91 through eastern Vermont, increasing the risk of slick travel during early morning hours. Rural valleys and low-lying areas, especially near rivers, could see colder pockets where freezing conditions linger longer, posing a threat to early crops and backyard gardens.
Rain showers moving through Friday night into Saturday will reduce visibility and lead to water pooling on secondary roads and low-lying intersections, particularly in Burlington and Rutland. This is part of a broader system driving colder-than-normal temperatures across the Northeast while feeding in Atlantic moisture.
Winds will increase Saturday afternoon into Sunday, with gusts reaching 30 to 40 mph. Those winds may bring down small branches and cause isolated power outages, especially in wooded areas.
Drivers should use caution on bridges and shaded roads early Saturday and avoid travel in areas where water covers the roadway. Residents should cover sensitive plants and secure loose outdoor items ahead of the wind.
The highest risk for freezing conditions and hazardous travel centers on early Saturday morning between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m.
