New England is currently facing a wintry weather mix with over a foot of snow expected in ski country and rain, wind, and potential flooding in southern areas and along the coast. In Maine, the National Weather Service has issued warnings of treacherous travel conditions due to ice formation inland from the coast, on top of already fallen snow or sleet. Forecasters are predicting one to two feet of snow in the mountains of western Maine and parts of New Hampshire, with lower amounts in the lakes region.
Connecticut, New York City, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts are expected to experience mainly rain, with some freezing precipitation in western and central Massachusetts before transitioning to all rain. The heaviest rain is anticipated in the late afternoon and evening, with the storm expected to clear out of the region by Sunday morning.
Despite the wintry conditions, skiing enthusiasts are welcoming the snowfall, with ski resorts like Loon Mountain in New Hampshire's White Mountains expecting between 12 and 20 inches of new snow. The storm is seen as a positive for the ski industry, setting up a promising spring season.
While New England deals with the wintry mix, there is a threat of flooding across the region, particularly in southern New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and southeast Massachusetts. Flood watches have been issued for several areas, including the tri-state region of Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.
Meanwhile, in the West, a winter storm warning remains in effect for parts of the Sierra Nevada, with significant snowfall and strong winds expected. The storm in New England comes after a relatively mild winter in some areas, contrasting with winter weather advisories issued earlier in the week in parts of the Midwest.
Overall, the weather patterns across the country have been varied, with spring storms impacting different regions, from severe thunderstorms in South Florida to wildfires in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley being aided by rain.