SCARBOROUGH, Maine (AP) — Messy winter weather brought snow, ice, freezing rain, and dangerous driving conditions to the New England states on Wednesday as the region braced for more foul weather later in the week.
The combination of rain, snow, and slush blanketed the area, causing numerous school districts to either close or implement delays. While snow accumulations weren’t expected to be significant, road conditions made it unsafe for school buses to operate in the morning.
Highway authorities in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts reported multiple accidents and vehicle spinouts; however, there were no serious injuries reported as of late Wednesday morning. Several major airports, including Logan International in Boston, had to treat aircraft with de-icing fluid due to snow and ice.
Weather forecasts predict that around one-tenth of an inch of ice could coat certain areas, which is not enough to cause widespread power outages but could lead to treacherous road conditions. A few thousand power outages occurred, mostly affecting Maine, with hundreds more in Massachusetts.
The combination of freezing rain and mixed precipitation prompted the National Weather Service to issue winter weather advisories for all six states in New England, with additional hazardous weather outlooks for northern areas that may experience further winter storms in the coming days. Authorities warn that more rain is expected Friday night into Saturday, followed by the possibility of snow Saturday into Sunday, likely creating hazardous travel scenarios.
The Maine Regional School Unit 21 issued a statement emphasizing that “with icy conditions forecast during both the morning and afternoon bus routes, ensuring the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority.”
