Treacherous Travel As Icy, Snowy Mix Hits MA: See Accumulations, Timeline

For the second time in a week, a messy mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain will make driving perilous across parts of Massachusetts Thursday night into Friday morning.

The National Weather Service said rain in the afternoon on Thursday will turn into a wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet for much of the state Thursday night through Friday morning.

The NWS said the greatest risk for ice accumulation — which could lead to tree damage and power outages — is in the southern Worcester Hills and southern Berkshires.

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Northern Worcester and Middlesex County will see a mix of sleet and snow with some freezing rain. Greater Boston will see rain mixing with snow and some lesser amounts of sleet and freezing rain.

(National Weather Service)

The NWS issued a Winter Weather Advisory for most of the state starting at 5 p.m. on Thursday and continuing until noon on Friday.

"Plan on slippery road conditions," the NWS said. "The Friday morning commute will be impacted."

(National Weather Service)

The NWS said up to 2 inches of snow is expected for much of Massachusetts, with up to 4 inches of snow along the New Hampshire border. The largest amounts are likely to be on the North Shore.

Friday will be a cold and windy day with a high of 34 degrees and northeast winds gusting to 25 mph.

Temperatures will hold in the low 30s Friday night before a rapid warmup begins on Saturday — setting the stage for high temperatures near 70 degrees next week.

Saturday will be cloudy and breezy with a high of 49 degrees.

Sunday will be partly sunny with a high of 54.

Temperatures will skyrocket next week with the NWS forecasting a high of 57 degrees on Monday and highs in the mid- to upper-60s — possibly hitting 70 degrees — on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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