BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Our weather team has issued a First Alert Weather Day for Wednesday night and Thursday due to widespread snow that will impact travel, especially during the Thursday morning commute. While this is not a major winter storm, the combination of snow accumulation and falling temperatures will make roads slick.
Timing: Precipitation will start as rain as rain for most of us Wednesday evening except for in the Adirondacks and along the spine of the Green Mountains, where snow could begin as early as 5 to 8 p.m. Rain will change to snow areawide as temperatures fall through the night. The Champlain Valley will likely see snow by 9 or 10 p.m., with most areas seeing snow before midnight. Southeastern Vermont and the I-91 corridor from Lebanon to Brattleboro and will be the last to see the change from rain to snow overnight.
Plan for widespread light to moderate snow Thursday morning. Steady snow will taper to showers through the day. Widespread snow will end before the evening commute, but there will be enough lingering snow showers to impact road conditions, especially in northern and mountainous areas. Snow showers will wrap up Thursday night.
Snow totals: Snow accumulation will vary by region. Plan for widespread totals between 2″ and 5″ in most of central and northern Vermont, with higher totals between 4″ and 8″ in the mountains. Southeastern Vermont and the Upper Valley will see the lowest snow amounts, likely only an inch or less.
Travel impacts: Road conditions will deteriorate Wednesday night as rain changes to snow. Travel impacts will start in the mountains Wednesday evening, with slick conditions developing in the mid and low elevations as temperatures drop through the night.
Plan for widespread slick and snowy roads during the Thursday morning commute. Temperatures will be falling through the 20s and into the teens during the day Thursday, which means roads will remain slick well into the afternoon and evening in some areas. Any wet and slushy surfaces will freeze as temperatures drop. Not everyone will see snow for the evening commute, but plan to take it slow, especially in northern and mountainous areas.
How to prepare: Plan for extra commute time Thursday morning. Leave early and drive slowly. Dress warmly. Temperatures will only be in the teens by Thursday evening.
Download the First Alert Weather App so you can be the first to know when winter weather alerts are issued for your area and get weather updates in real time.
What comes next: Temperatures continue to tumble Thursday night. By Friday morning, temperatures will only be in the single digits with wind chills between -10° and 0°.
The First Alert Weather Team is continuing to monitor this system and any changes in the track that could impact snow totals and impacts. Stay with us on air, online and on our app for the latest updates.
Copyright 2026 WCAX. All rights reserved.
