Northeast remains on alert for snow squalls, sudden freeze-ups
Fast-moving storms have brought rounds of wintry weather and slick travel since the weekend, and AccuWeather meteorologists say another burst of snow is on the way.
Thundersnow was heard and seen in Buffalo, New York, on the morning of Jan. 28. Snow and heavy winds obscured the view for drivers.
Motorists throughout the Northeast are urged to remain vigilant for areas of slippery travel and reduced visibility as additional rounds of snow showers and heavy squalls sweep across the region through Wednesday.
Since the weekend, Mother Nature has delivered a one-two punch of fast-moving storms originating from Canada, with a third storm poised to descend into the Northeast into Wednesday.
"After a period of steady snow moved across New York state and New England Tuesday night, spreading a swath of 1-3 inches of fresh accumulation, snow showers and squalls will tend to bubble up across the Northeast through Wednesday afternoon," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alyssa Glenny said.
Many of the same areas from Pennsylvania to Maine that dealt with heavier squalls late Monday night and Tuesday morning will contend with a similar situation Wednesday.
Bursts of snow are expected to descend on stretches of interstates 80, 81 and 90 into the early afternoon hours, with sudden reductions in visibility expected.
"Even in areas where there is not enough snow to accumulate or cause slippery travel, the bursts of snow may be ill-timed with some late afternoon commutes," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said.
Temperatures will spike into the 40s and 50s along the Interstate 95 corridor from Philadelphia to Boston Wednesday. As a result, any precipitation that reaches this area is expected to take the form of rain showers or rain mixed with snowflakes. Should precipitation come down heavily enough, all snow is possible for a brief period of time, but roadways are likely to remain wet.
"By Wednesday evening, a freeze-up could threaten parts of Pennsylvania and New York state. Many areas will have temperatures climb above freezing during the day Wednesday, so any initial snowfall could melt on roads. Then, as temperatures fall Wednesday evening, any wet areas could quickly freeze up Wednesday evening into Wednesday night and cause slick roads and sidewalks," Pydynowski said.
A gusty breeze will help to blow-dry some roads and sidewalks and negate more widespread freeze-up hazards into Wednesday night. AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will dip well below freezing and even below zero across upstate New York and New England as the breeze lingers into Thursday morning.
By the end of the week, a large cross-country storm will spread a broader swath of precipitation into the region, compared to the days of widely spaced snow showers earlier in the week. There can be a zone of snow and ice, at least at the onset of precipitation, from near I-80 on north.
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