Winter storm could dump a foot of snow on New England

The winter solstice is a week away, marking the beginning of astronomical winter, but Philadelphia has already received more snow this fall than it did all last winter. With a new winter storm slated to dump freezing rain and up to a foot of snow across New England this weekend, drivers commuting along I-90, I-95, I-81, I-70 and I-80 should consider a postponement of a few days for any plans that require extensive travel.

The precipitation will begin as rain from St. Louis to Kansas City, where temperatures will plummet Friday evening. As the area of low pressure churning across the Midwest presses into colder air, the rain will change to snow.

If you are traveling east along I-70 from St. Louis to Indianapolis; Columbus, Ohio; and Pittsburgh this weekend, you can expect at least 3 to 5 inches. Locally, some areas could accrue 6 to 8 inches of snow. The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories for St. Louis; Lincoln, Neb.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; and Pittsburgh from 6 p.m. Friday until 6 p.m. Saturday.

Winter weather advisories are issued when weather conditions are expected to rapidly deteriorate. Blowing, drifting snow, sleet, and freezing drizzle and rain are all possible. The National Weather Service urged Americans to remember that “it only takes a small amount of wintry precipitation to make roads, bridges, sidewalks and parking lots icy and dangerous” and that “it is difficult to tell when ice begins to form.” It urged drivers to stay vigilant with their safety and take their time.

The same system targeting the Midwest Friday night and Saturday will hit the mid-Atlantic and Northeast late Saturday night and Sunday. I-95 cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. will all receive a mixture of snow and sleet; in New York City, 2 to 4 inches is expected. Areas across the interior from the Great Lakes to central Pennsylvania, New York and New England will receive anywhere from 6 to 12 inches. Major highways such as the New York State Thruway and I-80 from Pennsylvania to Chicago will all be affected.

Travelers are urged to keep in mind that areas of roads made wet and slushy from melting during Sunday could refreeze Sunday night. They should use caution, especially on bridges and overpasses.

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