Winter Weather Advisory: Overnight Snow, Icy Roads For Morning Commute
Much of the Hudson Valley is bracing for winter conditions expected to create hazardous driving conditions overnight, as freezing temperatures and wintry mixes loom. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), Winter Weather Advisories have been issued for nearly the entirety of the Hudson Valley, including Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Dutchess, Ulster, and Northern Westchester counties.
The advisory is set to take effect at 10 p.m. for the southern areas, with northern regions expecting deteriorated conditions starting after midnight. It will remain active until 11 a.m. on Monday, bringing mixed precipitation, slick roads, and potentially treacherous morning commutes.
Ice accumulations, ranging from light glaze to several hundredths of an inch, are anticipated along with total snow accumulations of about 1 inch or less for most areas, though up to 2 inches may fall around western Orange County, as well as Dutchess and Eastern Ulster counties. The NWS is cautioning drivers to prepare for slippery road conditions and to monitor their surroundings closely.
Audrey Puente from FOX 5 NY highlighted, "We are expecting some snow and some icy travel off to the north, and that's why they have executed the advisory." Various counties across the northeastern United States are dealing with mixed precipitation, leading to potential travel woes as people prepare for the new workweek.
For those venturing outdoors during this winter weather, the NWS urges vigilance. "Slow down and use caution when driving," the advisory states, stressing the importance of being on alert especially on stairs, sidewalks, and driveways which may become icy.
The impending winter storm, characterized by its interplay of warm and cold air, will create what meteorologists are calling "a quick burst of winter weather and rain". Starting Sunday evening, light snow is forecast across the affected areas, with colder pockets transitioning to freezing rain by early Monday morning. This system, originating from the Midwest, carries the remnants of the ice storm and impacts various regions, including New Jersey's Western Passaic County and several counties across New York.
Expecting heavier chances for snow are regions situated along higher elevations, potentially seeing several inches, whereas the Interstate 95 corridor likely experiences mostly rain due to milder temperatures. It'll be especially important for residents from New York City to remain informed, as FOX Weather Meteorologist Kendall Smith pointed out, "I think in New York City, we're going to miss out on it once again. It's a big frustration."
The winter weather advisory covers many areas, with NWS noting Lehigh Valley and Northampton counties also predicted to encounter slick conditions due to mixed rainfall and snow predicted to begin after 5 p.m. on Sunday, changing to freezing rain overnight. The advisory for these areas includes precautionary measures for motorists as the NWS has warned of "slippery road conditions."
Further south, the NWS has indicated Monroe and Carbon counties will see similar conditions, projecting total snow to be between 1 to 4 inches, with less than one-tenth of ice accumulation and more substantial rain expected as temperatures rise. The advisory urges residents to pay close attention to changing conditions: "Near and southeast of I-95, this should just be rain, though a bit of snow or sleet at the onset can't be ruled out," according to the latest forecasts.
Weather watchers are continually monitoring what meteorologist Bobby Martrich describes as "cold air damming events," which trigger bouts of precipitation mixing with freezing rain across various locales. According to predictions from the NWS, these alerts span from the Great Lakes through the mid-Atlantic region and up to the Northeast, indicating the broad impact of this storm.
Notably, winter weather advisories are meant to inform the public about the changing conditions and to advise on travel safety. Drivers are reminded to keep their headlights on, slow down, and exercise extra caution on bridges and overpasses, which are often the first to become icy.
With the holiday season approaching, anticipating travel disruptions is key, particularly as rain is expected to crop up again on Monday night, tapering off by Tuesday morning. Residents are advised to stay updated on local weather resources to navigate road conditions safely as the weather system impacts the region.
For now, as these wintry weather alerts sweep through the tri-state area, residents are advised to stay informed, stay safe, and be prepared to adapt their plans based on current and forecasted conditions, ensuring they safely make it through this cold wave.
