Winter Weather Advisory Issued for Massachusetts: Icy Conditions Expected
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A winter weather advisory is in effect for much of Massachusetts, prompting concerns about hazardous travel conditions and potential power outages. The advisory, issued by the Boston 25 Weather Team and the National Weather Service, begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday and extends through 10 a.m. Wednesday, impacting commuters and residents across the region.
Advisory Details & Affected Areas
The advisory covers Berkshire, Franklin, Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, Hampshire, Hampden, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Bristol counties. While Southeastern Massachusetts will remain unaffected, the rest of the state should prepare for the possibility of freezing rain and subsequent icy roads.
Potential Impacts & Travel Concerns
According to the National Weather Service, “Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous.” This poses a significant risk to drivers, with difficult travel conditions anticipated during both the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes. A light glaze of ice is expected along the Interstate 95 corridor, but interior southern New England could see ice accumulation ranging from 0.1″ to 0.2″. Drivers are strongly urged to slow down and exercise extreme caution while traveling.
Power Outage Risk & Preparedness
Beyond travel disruptions, the potential for power outages exists. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about current outages and restoration times through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency’s (MEMA) real-time power outage viewer. MEMA also provides access to live weather radar and forecasting tools to help track the storm’s progress.
Resources for Staying Informed
Several resources are available to help residents prepare and stay updated:
- MEMA’s Real-Time Power Outage Viewer: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/power-outages
- MEMA’s Live Weather Radar: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/weather-radar
- MassDOT: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massdot
- MBTA: https://www.mbta.com/
- Logan Airport: https://www.massport.com/logan-airport/
- Amtrak: https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (Facebook & Twitter): https://www.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA & https://twitter.com/MassEMA
- Mass211: https://mass211.org/
- Federal Emergency Management Agency: https://www.fema.gov/
- National Weather Service/Boston: https://www.weather.gov/box/
- National Weather Service/Albany, NY: https://www.weather.gov/aly/
Residents can also follow Boston 25 Meteorologists on Twitter for updates: Kevin Lemanowicz, Shiri Spear, Tucker Antico, and Vicki Graf. Staying vigilant and prepared will be key to navigating the hazardous conditions expected throughout the region.
