BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Heavy wet snow moving into the region Friday will create significantly more dangerous travel conditions than the light, fluffy snow that has dominated the winter so far.
This storm will bring heavy snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour with very low visibility and slippery roads. For complete timing and snowfall totals, see our First Alert Weather Day story.
WHY THIS SNOW IS DIFFERENT
Almost all the snow we’ve had recently has been light and fluffy because it’s been very cold. When temperatures drop well below freezing, snow crystals stay dry and don’t stick together. That’s why we’ve seen so much accumulation from relatively little moisture.
Today’s milder temperatures will change that. With temperatures climbing to the low and mid-30s this afternoon, the snow becomes much denser and wetter. The ice crystals stick together more easily, creating heavier snow that packs down on roads and clings to vehicles. That denser snow is far more difficult for plows to move and creates much slicker driving conditions.
SAFETY REMINDERS FOR EVENING DRIVERS
The best thing you can do Friday evening is stay home if you can. But if you have to be out on the roads, please SLOW DOWN. Road crews will be out there working hard to keep the roads as clean as possible, but with snowfall rates this heavy, they’re going to have a tough time keeping up. Give yourself extra time to get where you need to go.
And give the plows plenty of room to do their job. Vermont has a Safe Roads Policy, not a clear roads policy. That means the focus is on making sure the roads are passable during snowfall, not clearing every inch of pavement. Do your part by traveling slowly and letting the road crew’s work.
Another important thing will be to leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you. Stopping distances increase drastically when there is snow on the roads, especially on bridges and overpasses. Bridges freeze first because they’re exposed to cold air from both above and below.
It’s also a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your car just in case: a flashlight, first aid kit, blanket, shovel, snow brush and water. These things can make a real difference if you get stuck.
LOOKING AHEAD
The heaviest snow will end by Saturday morning, with only scattered, lighter snow showers expected. Some slick spots and black ice may linger into early Saturday, but the worst of the travel impacts will be over. A few flurries could stick around in the mountains into Sunday but for most of us Sunday will be drier.
Then we’re keeping an eye on a coastal low for Monday. While that does look like it will remain to our south, the storm could shift farther north and bring a few light snow showers to our region. We will continue to monitor it over the weekend and bring you updates on air, online, and on the WCAX First Alert Weather App.
