Messy, Icy Mix to Bring Slippery Travel Conditions

Another round of sleet and freezing rain will move in Thursday evening, creating very slick roads and leaving another glaze of icing across parts of Massachusetts.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A winter weather advisory is in effect from 5 PM Thursday through noon on Friday for parts of Massachusetts, as a messy mix of sleet, freezing rain, and snow is expected to move in, creating slippery travel conditions. The farther north you go, the more snow and sleet is expected, with the Boston and Worcester areas seeing a coating to a couple inches of mainly sleet and some snow. Southeastern Massachusetts will see mostly rain, but a glaze of ice from the freezing rain could still make roads slick. The higher elevations of southern Worcester Hills and the Berkshires could see up to a quarter inch of ice, which could lead to power disruptions from sagging tree limbs.

Why it matters

This winter weather system is the latest in a series of storms to impact the region, continuing a pattern of unsettled weather that has made travel hazardous at times. The potential for icy conditions raises concerns about public safety on the roads, as well as the possibility of power outages from ice accumulation on trees and power lines.

The details

The wintry mix is expected to develop Thursday evening as colder air from the north moves in, with temperatures dropping below freezing. The precipitation will start as rain but transition to a mix of sleet and freezing rain, especially in the interior areas north and west of Boston. Farther north, closer to the New Hampshire border, more snow is expected, with 2-4 inches possible. In the Boston and Worcester metro areas, a coating to 2 inches of sleet and snow is forecast. The biggest concern is the potential for a quarter-inch or more of ice accumulation in the higher elevations, which could weigh down tree limbs and cause power outages.

  • The winter weather advisory goes into effect at 5 PM on Thursday and lasts through noon on Friday.

The players

Massachusetts

The state that will be impacted by the messy, icy weather conditions.

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What’s next

Residents in the affected areas should monitor the weather forecasts and be prepared for potentially hazardous travel conditions on Thursday evening and Friday morning. Drivers should allow extra time, reduce speeds, and exercise caution on the roads.

The takeaway

This winter storm is the latest in a series of weather systems that have brought challenging travel conditions to the region. The potential for icy roads and power outages highlights the need for residents to stay vigilant and prepared for rapidly changing winter weather.