Significant Weather Blog: Tuesday, January 6, 2026 2 PM
Weekly Significant Weather Outlook – Updated
No major storms reaching warning criteria look likely for the rest of this week but am issuing an update for potentially significant icy travel tonight into Wednesday morning. Various computer models, including the higher resolution ones, seem to have trended a little colder at the surface. This suggests that there may be a more prolonged period of freezing rain for much of the interior (especially along and west/northwest of I-495).
Period of Freezing Rain likely Tonight into Wednesday Morning for Much of Interior Southern New England
A warm front with overrunning precipitation will approach southern New England tonight. Light, spotty precipitation will break out this evening and become a little heavier and more widespread later tonight. With warmer air flowing aloft, the precipitation is expected to fall as rain but over much of the interior freeze upon reaching the surface due to those surface temperatures remaining near or a little below freezing. Latest high resolution model trends project surface temperatures to remain very near or a little below freezing into Wednesday morning despite warming aloft. It can be especially hazardous to driving and walking when freezing rain falls on a bare untreated surface. Travel may become hazardous this evening northwest of I-95 across interior MA as well as northern RI and northern CT. Areas right along I-95 and just to the northwest may become icy for a time later this evening before eventually a change to just rain. Just a little further northwest (including along and west of I-495 in MA and across portions of northern RI and northern CT, freezing rain may persist at least off and on through the night into Wednesday morning. The Wednesday morning commute may be significantly impacted. Although there will be some ice accretion, it’s not likely to reach the point of downing branches and powerlines.
Drivers and those walking on untreated surfaces should exercise extreme caution tonight into Wednesday morning.
To keep abreast of the latest information, please monitor forecasts and statements from the National Weather Service (weather.gov/box).
Coming Weekend
Looks like a series of weather systems will pass north of southern New England (probably along the St. Lawrence Valley) and result in periods of rain or rain showers over the weekend. We will be on the warm side of these low pressure systems with southerly low-level winds and temperatures probably reaching well into at least the 40s.
Next Message
The next blog message will likely be the scheduled weekly significant weather outlook to be issued on Monday January 12, 2026.
About this Blog and Disclaimer
The National Weather Service monitors the weather 24/7 and updates forecasts, watches, and warnings as necessary. For most of southern New England, refer to your local Weather Forecast Office for the latest forecast/warning information at weather.gov/box. For information from other Weather Forecast Offices, go to weather.gov and click on the location of interest on the map.
A blog is issued when there is a potential risk of hazardous weather to southern New England and serves to provide background information regarding the significant weather with somewhat of an educational slant. In the case of hurricanes, the author will attempt to issue a message when any portion of the United States coastline may be seriously impacted. It’s intended to complement and not serve as an alternative to official forecasts issued by the National Weather Service. Readers are urged to check National Weather Service forecasts and warnings for the most timely and updated weather information. This weather message is solely produced by the listed author and does not constitute an official product of the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center (BHOSC).
The frequency of this blog will depend upon the nature of the weather threat and availability of the author. Thus, for the latest information on weather forecasts and warnings, refer to the National Weather Service, which monitors and forecasts the weather 24/7.
Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center (BHOSC)
The BHOSC maintains a continuous daily observation record that dates from February 1, 1885 without interruption and provides educational information on weather and climate to area students and the community at large. Your support of BHOSC is much appreciated and enables this nonprofit organization to maintain the long-term climate record at the Blue Hill Observatory (longest continuous record in North America) and provide valuable educational resources on weather and climate via outreach to schools, site visits/tours, webinars, and conferences. For more information on the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, explore bluehill.org.
Message issued January 6, 2026 by:
Bob Thompson
Retired National Weather Service Meteorologist
Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center Board member
