First winter storm of season brings ice, snow to northeastern US in final days of 2015
By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather
A quick shot of cold air will lead the first widespread ice and snow event of the season across the northeastern U.S. into Tuesday night.
The storm that unleashed severe weather, ice and blizzard conditions across the south-central United States this past weekend will impact the Northeast into Tuesday night.
Fresh cold air will set the stage for more widespread snow and ice to fall than with recent storms in the Northeast from New York state and New England northward to Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
"The worst travel conditions in the Northeast will continue through Tuesday morning across northern and eastern New York and New England," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said. "Roads that are not treated will become treacherous and people may not be aware of the hazardous situation."
Elsewhere in the mid-Atlantic, the storm will remain a rain event. This includes in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
Sleet mixed in around New York City during the rain's onset during Monday night, but has changed to all rain across the five boroughs.
Click through to see snowy scenes so far this season:
Those heading to work on Tuesday morning should allow for extra time. Flight delays and cancellations are also possible.
Warmth stored up in the ground from the record warmth will keep roads and sidewalks warmer than the air temperature. However, slushy road conditions may still unfold where there is a bit of snow or sleet accumulation.
An extended period of snow and sleet along and north of the I-90 corridor from Albany, New York, to Worcester, Massachusetts, will lead to more hazardous conditions for motorists into Tuesday afternoon.
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"In southern New England, there will be sleet and freezing rain during Tuesday morning," Anderson said. "There will be a transition to rain, but that changeover will be slower to occur in the interior."
Such a changeover will be quick along the coast.
Before the shift to rain, Boston should record its first measurable snowfall of the season.
The same can be said for Worcester, Massachusetts, which already broke the record for the latest date of measurable snow. The previous record was Dec. 24, 1923.
"The snow at the storm's onset could fall at a rate of 1-2 inches per hour," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist John Feerick said.
Where the storm remains all snow, totals will approach or exceed a foot in northern Maine and neighboring parts of Canada. Snow-clogged roads will result. Mixing is likely to occur closer to the lakeshores during Tuesday afternoon, including Portland, Maine.
As quick as the fresh cold and winter storm arrives, milder air will return to close out 2015. However, seasonably colder air should usher back in for the start of the new year.
