BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Friday is a First Alert Weather Day due to widespread snow that will impact the region Friday afternoon into Saturday. Snowfall rates could exceed 1-2″ per hour during the Friday evening commute. Plan ahead for deteriorating road conditions through Friday afternoon and slick and snowy travel into Friday night.
Timing: Snow will move in from southwest to northeast late Friday morning into Friday afternoon, falling moderate to heavy through the evening. The heaviest snowfall will likely coincide with the evening commute, so give yourself extra time to get to your destination if you need to be out. Lighter snow will linger into Saturday, but the heaviest snow will be done before sunrise Saturday morning.
Winter Weather Alerts: A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 10 a.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday for Bennington, Windham, Windsor, eastern Addison and eastern Rutland Counties in Vermont; Sullivan and southern Grafton Counties in New Hampshire; and all of Essex and Clinton Counties in N.Y. along with most of Franklin County and northern St. Lawrence County. These areas will likely see the most difficult travel conditions and highest snow accumulations.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 10 a.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday for the rest of the viewing area except northern Coös County in N.H.. Locations in the Winter Weather Advisory will likely see lower snow totals but should still plan for potentially hazardous travel Friday afternoon and evening.
Snow Totals by Region: A widespread 4″ to 8″ of snow is expected across our area, with locally higher or lower amounts depending on where you live.
Most of northern Vermont, including the Champlain Valley, will see a widespread 4-8″ of fresh snow. Closer to the Canadian border we will likely see a bit less snow. 3-6″ is more likely the further north you are. Most of Coos County will also see 3-6″ of snow with up to 4-8″ in the highest elevations.
The North County can also expect a widespread 4-8″ of snow for most. There could be a few pockets of 3-6″, especially in St. Lawrence County. The mountains will see the most snow with 8-12″ of snow likely.
Central Vermont will also see a general 4-8″ of snow. But the lower terrain, especially on the western side of the Green Mountains, will likely have slightly lower totals of 3-6″. Like the Adirondacks, the Green Mountains will see the most of with 8-12″ likely.
Southern Vermont is pretty similar to Central Vermont, and most people will likely see 4-8″ of snow. But west of the Green Mountains is likely to see less snow. Near Bennington and Shaftsbury snow totals could be as low as 2-4″.
No matter where you are, plowable snow is likely. This snow will also be wetter than most of our snowstorms so far this winter. This will lead to slushy travel and more difficulty shoveling. The wettest and heaviest of the snow will fall Friday evening, but it becomes drier as colder air moves in into Saturday.
Impacts: Slick and snow-covered roads will develop Friday afternoon, making travel difficult through Friday night. If you have to be out Friday evening, slow down, increase your following distance, and drive with caution. Some slick roads will still be possible into Saturday morning, but the heaviest snow will fall Friday evening.
Outdoor Recreation: The fresh snow will be great for skiers this weekend after this week’s thaw! Most resorts have a good chance to see at least 6″ of new snow through Saturday. Resorts along the spine of the Green Mountains like Stowe, Smugglers’ Notch, Sugarbush and Killington could pick up a fresh 9″ to 12″. Whiteface Mountain in New York also has a good chance to see 9″ to 12″ of new snow.
The First Alert Weather Team will continue to refine the forecast as Friday’s snow gets closer. Stay with us on air, online and on the First Alert Weather App for the latest timing and snow totals for your town.
