Rainy Friday Paves Way for Black Ice Concerns in Parts of Tri-State
The rain will ramp up before dawn and continue through the evening, but it won’t be non-stop. Expect on-and-off light to moderate rain over the course of the entire day. Take extra caution during the morning and evening commutes; both will be wet.
Freezing Rain and Black Ice Concerns
The morning commute, especially, could be tricky to the north and west of the city thanks to the chance for freezing rain. With temperatures in these areas dropping below freezing by sunrise, liquid rain will freeze upon contact with untreated roads, sidewalks, and bridges, resulting in a thin glaze of ice. If you’re heading outside early Friday morning in one of these freezing spots, assume any wet surfaces you see are ice.
Winter Weather Advisories
The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories across the entire Hudson Valley, Fairfield County, and parts of North Jersey effective for Friday morning – alerting for the potential of up to a tenth of an inch of ice. It only takes a hundredth of an inch of ice to create treacherous travel conditions, so be wary of "wet-looking" surfaces if you need to drive early Friday morning. That wet road could very well be icy, instead.
Afternoon and Evening Expectations
By the afternoon and evening, temperatures everywhere will be back above freezing. The relative warmth in combination with the rain will help melt our current snowpack far inland. This won’t lead to flooding, but it will exacerbate the effects of the rain. Do not be surprised to see ponding on low-lying roadways or areas with poor drainage.
Drought Relief
While Friday will certainly bring its share of commuting headaches, the rain we get is desperately needed. 2025 has been off to an exceptionally dry start in Central Park. In fact, this month is currently the driest January on record for the city. Less than half an inch of liquid equivalent precipitation has fallen so far. Friday’s rain could double that amount. It won’t be enough to erase January’s rain deficit, but every bit helps.
The Tri-State Area’s Drought Situation
The tri-state area is still under drought conditions that began last fall. And despite our decently soggy December, this dry January has marked a step backward as we’ve seen the expansion of areas under the "severe drought" designation, particularly further south. There is still a long way to go before we fully erase the drought from our region, but Friday’s rain is at least a step in the right direction.
Looking Ahead
The good news: the start of February promises a couple more rain and/or snow chances as early as next week. These won’t be big storms, but they’ll at the very least help February get off to a wetter start than we had in January.
Conclusion
Friday’s rain may cause some commuting headaches, but it’s a much-needed relief from the dry spell that has plagued our region. Be sure to take extra precautions on the roads, and stay informed about any weather updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What can I do to prepare for the rain?
- Check your umbrella and make sure it’s in good condition. Consider investing in a new one if you don’t have one.
- Plan your route and allow extra time for your commute.
- Be cautious when walking or driving on wet surfaces.
- How can I stay informed about weather updates?
- Check NBC New York’s website and social media accounts for updates.
- Sign up for emergency alerts from your local government or weather service.
- Download a weather app on your smartphone to stay informed.
