By James Arnold, Weather Specialist
The National Weather Service has issued a freezing rain advisory for our area, the text of which appears below:
…Freezing rain advisory from 3 pm this afternoon to 11 pm est this evening…
* Locations…Western and central Massachusetts… Including Franklin… Hampshire… Hampden… Worcester and northwest Middlesex counties.
* Hazard types…light freezing rain as well as some sleet.
* Accumulations…ice accumulation will generally be a tenth of an inch or less.
* Timing…patches of light freezing rain and sleet will begin late this afternoon and continue into the evening.
* Impacts… The main impact will be a light coating of ice on untreated roadways and sidewalks… Which can be dangerous for motorists and pedestrians.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A freezing rain advisory means that periods of freezing rain or freezing drizzle will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads. Slow down and use caution while driving.
While just a small amount of glaze can cause dangerous conditions, I do not expect a serious icing situation and it should be melted by dawn Tuesday as temperatures rise and precipitation changes to rain. The rain will come to an end before noon, followed by slow clearing, breezy and cool conditions. The benign weather will continue Wednesday, but will be followed by the potential for a nor’easter later Thursday and Thursday night. More on that in a separate message later.
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
