BURLINGTON, Vt. – A vigorous fall storm will sweep across Vermont late Thursday into Friday, bringing strong southeast winds and periods of heavy rain that may cause travel slowdowns and isolated power outages.
According to the National Weather Service in Burlington, winds will increase Thursday afternoon and evening, with gusts of 30 to 40 mph possible — strongest along the western slopes of the Green Mountains and the Lake Champlain Valley. Localized power disruptions and downed branches could occur where soils remain damp from recent rainfall.
Rain will arrive in waves through Thursday night and Friday morning, producing 1 to 2 inches of total rainfall across much of northern Vermont and northeastern New York. Areas from Middlebury to Stowe could see locally higher totals near the higher terrain. While widespread flooding is not expected, poor drainage areas and leaf-clogged storm drains may see minor ponding.
The strongest winds will taper Friday as the system exits into northern Maine. Daytime temperatures will stay mild, in the upper 50s to low 60s, before cooler, drier air moves in for the weekend.
Residents should secure outdoor decorations and trash bins ahead of the gusty winds and use caution when driving over exposed bridges or near high-profile vehicles Thursday night.
