Ice, Snow Expected In North VT; South Braces For Strong Winds

BURLINGTON, VT — Some parts of Vermont are preparing for another bout of winter weather, while others are bracing for strong winds to hit Thursday night into Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

In the northern portion of the state, a winter weather advisory is in effect from 7 p.m. Thursday through 1 p.m. Friday. The advisory encompasses parts of Clinton, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, Essex, Grand Isle, Orleans, Chittenden, Lamoille, Washington and Addison counties.

The cities of Burlington, Montpelier and Middlebury are included in the advisory area.

Rain on Thursday is expected to transition to a wintry mix Thursday night before changing to light snow by Friday morning. A possible 1-4 inches of snow and ice accumulations of around one-tenth of an inch are also expected, according to forecasters.

The highest snow accumulations are expected near the northern Adirondacks along Route 11. The highest ice accumulations are expected over the northern Adirondacks and the Champlain Valley.

Meanwhile, the southern portion of the state is bracing for high winds and gusts up to 55 mph.

A wind advisory is in effect from 10 p.m.Thursday through 9 a.m. Friday. The city of Bennington is included in the advisory area.

A flood watch is also in effect from 1 p.m. Thursday through Friday evening for central and southern parts of the state.

The combination of snowmelt, frozen ground and rainfall may cause excessive runoff, forecasters said. This could prompt river levels to rise.