Freezing rain may disrupt journey for 1 million this weekend

Roughly 1 million individuals within the Northeast may face hazardous journey circumstances this weekend as freezing rain makes roads slick throughout 4 states.

“It’s a little too early to be talking about any ice amounts or ice accumulation forecasts, but anytime we have freezing rain in the forecast, our main concern first and foremost is travel and travel safety for the public,” National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Maureen Hastings instructed Newsweek.

The heaviest freezing rain will fall throughout the in a single day hours on Saturday, earlier than colder climate causes precipitation to fall primarily as snow on Sunday.

Why It Matters

A robust clipper storm is anticipated to maneuver throughout components of the Northeast this weekend, bringing a wintry mixture of freezing rain, sleet, and snow to densely traveled areas. The NWS has issued outlooks for hazardous climate, urging warning for motorists as slippery circumstances might disrupt journey for as much as 1 million individuals throughout northern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and western Maine. The impression on main transportation corridors may result in delays and harmful driving circumstances.

What To Know

A quick-moving clipper system originating from Canada is forecast to brush by way of the northeastern United States from late Saturday into Sunday morning, AccuWeather reported. Most of the rain and ice will fall north of the storm’s observe, the report mentioned.

“Slippery travel is most likely from northeastern New York through Vermont, central and northern New Hampshire, and western Maine Saturday night into Sunday morning due to a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain,” the AccuWeather report mentioned.

A dip within the jet stream will enable chilly air to dominate the Northeast, setting the stage for wintry precipitation. By Sunday, a brand new blast of chilly air is anticipated to reach, probably altering any lingering showers into snow. Bands of lake-effect snow may additionally develop in western and northern New York, contributing to accumulation and journey difficulties in localized areas.

“Forecast trends continue to depict freezing rain is possible across parts of eastern Vermont and northern New York Saturday evening into Sunday morning. Stay tuned for updates,” NWS Burlington mentioned in a hazardous climate outlook.

Temperatures in affected areas are forecast to vary from the 30s to the low 40s by way of the weekend, with wind chill values dropping additional throughout nighttime or inclement climate.

What People Are Saying

NWS Burlington in a hazardous climate outlook: “If winter tires have not been equipped, continue to use caution along mountain passes and bridgeways.”

NWS Burlington in a submit on X: “Some lingering rain and snow showers will continue tonight, into tomorrow. A brief period of dry weather will move in for Saturday, before another system brings more precipitation in the form of rain and wintry weather.”

What Happens Next

Travelers are urged to watch up to date climate forecasts and street circumstances all through the weekend, as the combination of freezing rain, sleet, and snow has the potential to create hazardous driving situations. Officials advocate delaying non-essential journey throughout peak impression occasions and guaranteeing autos are winter-ready with emergency provides. As lake-effect snow might persist into early subsequent week, continued vigilance is important for individuals who should be on the street.