Expect light snow and freezing rain in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania on Sunday night, potentially causing dangerous driving conditions on Monday.
Winter Weather Advisory: Icy Roads Expected for Monday Morning Commute in Northeastern States
A winter weather advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for parts of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The advisory is in effect until 10 a.m. Monday for northeastern Pennsylvania and until 11 a.m. for parts of New Jersey and the Lower Hudson Valley in New York. Northern areas of Fairfield, New Haven, and northern Middlesex Counties in Connecticut are also expected to be affected.
Forecasters predict up to four inches of snow and sleet in northeastern Pennsylvania, which will transition into a light glaze of ice accumulation by Monday morning. Most parts of New York and New Jersey will receive less than an inch of snow starting Sunday evening, spreading eastward into southwestern Connecticut overnight.
As the evening progresses on Sunday, the snow is expected to change to freezing rain, leading to hazardous, icy conditions, especially on untreated roads and in higher elevations. The Monday morning commute could be particularly dangerous, with icy roads presenting significant challenges for drivers.
Ice accumulations are forecasted to vary from a light glaze to a few hundredths of an inch across most areas, with western Orange County potentially receiving up to an inch of ice. The Poconos in Pennsylvania are expected to experience the heaviest snow and ice accumulations, possibly up to four inches on Sunday evening.
According to Mike Kistner, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Binghamton, N.Y., the forecast for freezing rain and ice has prompted the Lower Hudson Valley and parts of New Jersey to be placed under a winter weather advisory, although the snowfall is expected to be light. While the cold air and below-freezing temperatures on Monday morning will likely result in icy roads during the morning rush, conditions should improve as the day progresses and temperatures rise. It is important to note that bridges and overpasses may remain icy even if the main roads are wet.
Jennifer Givner, a spokeswoman for the New York State Thruway Authority, mentioned that road crews are prepared to clear the roads and have pretreated them for freezing rain. However, she advised drivers to exercise caution on Monday morning. She recommended allowing extra time for the morning commute and driving at a reduced speed to navigate the weather conditions safely.
Winter weather advisories have also been issued for areas in western Maryland, western Virginia, and eastern West Virginia, where up to two inches of snow and sleet are expected. Slippery roads and sidewalks are a concern in these regions, with advisories in place until 1 a.m. on Monday.
Source: The NY Times
