First weekend of spring brings a mix of wind, rain, sleet, and heavy snow to Northeast U.S.

New England and surrounding areas are bracing for a mix of wintry weather with more than a foot of snow expected in some areas, along with rain, wind, and possible flooding in southern regions and along the coast. The National Weather Service has warned of hazardous travel conditions across Maine due to potential ice accumulation. Forecasts have predicted one to two feet of snow across the mountains in western Maine and areas in the north, as well as the White Mountains.

In New Hampshire’s lakes region and up to Maine, slightly lower snow totals in the range of six inches to one foot are predicted due to sleet and freezing rain. There’s a steep variability in the amount of snowfall, with lower amounts near the coast and higher amounts in the mountains.

Across Connecticut, New York City, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, the storm is expected to remain predominantly a rain event, with some freezing precipitation early in the day in western and central Massachusetts before transitioning to all rain. The storm should be completely out of the New England region by Sunday morning, with sunshine expected but temperatures chillier than the average for late March.

The storm presents a threat of flooding across the region, particularly in far southern New Hampshire where morning snow and sleet could block storm drains for the heavier rain anticipated in the afternoon. The rain could also cause rivers to flood in Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts, with flood watches issued across Connecticut and portions of New York.

This storm comes after winter seasons in some Northeast areas, including Boston, which experienced low snowfall and warmer temperatures. The regions of northern New England were hit with snow and freezing rain, following winter weather advisories that were issued in Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin earlier in the week.