By James M. Arnold, Weather Specialist
Here is the text from the latest statement for our general area as issued by the National Weather Service in Taunton. This looks to be a minor but potentially hazardous storm for many of us, as an extended period of freezing rain is likely to occur with the potential for ice caused tree damage and isolated power outages along with slippery road and sidewalk conditions during the morning.
308 PM EST MON DEC 28 2015
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 PM EST TUESDAY.
* LOCATIONS.NORTHERN & CNTL MASSACHUSETTS.
* HAZARD TYPES.SNOW.SLEET.& FREEZING RAIN.
* ACCUMULATIONS.SNOW & SLEET ACCUMULATION OF 1 TO 4 INCHES WITH THE HIGHEST AMOUNTS NEAR THE NH BORDER. IN ADDITION, UP TO ONE QUARTER OF AN INCH OF ICE ACCRETION IS POSSIBLE.
* TIMING.SNOW WILL BEGIN AROUND MIDNIGHT & THEN CHANGE TO SLEET TUES MORNING FROM SO. TO NORTH. SLEET WILL THEN CHANGE TO FREEZING RAIN BY LATE TUES MORNING OR EARLY AFTERNOON.
* IMPACTS.HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS EXPECTED ON TUESDAY.ESPECIALLY FOR THE MORNING COMMUTE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ;
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN SNOW AND/OR ICE IS FORECAST TO DEVELOP IN THE AFFECTED AREAS, BUT ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE LIGHT. ANY SNOW OR ICE WOULD RESULT IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS ON UNTREATED ROADWAYS
AND SIDEWALKS. WHEN TEMPS ARE BELOW FREEZING. MOTORISTS NEED TO BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL ON BRIDGES & OVERPASSES WHERE SLIPPERY SPOTS CAN EASILY DEVELOP.
The morning drive could be treacherous in spots where freezing rain holds on for an extended period of time. Caution is advised on roadways and sidewalks where icy/slippery conditions persist. The most hazardous conditions will be to the north and west of Shrewsbury in areas where the cold air resists being scoured out, such as in deeper valleys and some high ground locations prior to the arrival of overrunning warm air. Keep up with the latest forecasts on radio, TV and the internet.
James M. Arnold is a Weather Specialist working with Shrewsbury Emergency Management Agency; town of Princeton; Worcester Emergency Communications and Emergency Management Agency; Southborough Emergency Management Agency; town of Grafton and Wachusett Mountain Ski Area