Northeast could see flash freeze after plunging temperatures, drenching rain
Drenching rain in the Northeast on Wednesday and quickly dropping temperatures will create the potential for icy roads and sidewalks by Thursday morning. A flash freeze can happen when above-freezing temperatures drop below freezing within hours.
Plunging temps across Northeast after rain could lead to flash freeze
Flash freezing is possible on Thursday across the Northeast when temperatures are forecast to plunge below freezing. The temperature drop happens after a day of heavy rain across the region which could create dangerous conditions for the morning commute on Thursday.
PITTSBURGH – After getting drenched this week, the Northeast will face a rapid drop in temperatures, creating conditions for flash freezing and making Thursday's commute icy and dangerous.
On Wednesday, a deluge of rain fell across the Northeast, with high temperatures in the 50s and 60s in parts of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. By Thursday morning, most of these areas will go from above-freezing temperatures to temperatures in the 20s, creating what's known as a flash freeze.
The temperature drop between Wednesday and Thursday.
(FOX Weather)
FOX Weather Meteorologist Craig Herrera explains why this can create dangerous conditions outside.
WHAT IT TAKES TO DE-ICE ROADS DURING WINTER STORMS
"When this happens, you basically drop from above-freezing temperatures to below-freezing temperatures in a matter of hours. And all of the water that's out there on the roads, the leftover rain, maybe some slush quickly freezes just like that," Herrera said. "And it makes it pretty dangerous, especially for driving and walking. You may step out of your doorway. You've got a little driveway or the sidewalk. It could be frozen over."
These conditions are possible on Thursday morning in places like Scranton, Pennsylvania, where temperatures are above freezing at bedtime on Wednesday and down to 29 degrees by Thursday morning. With the wind chill, that 29 degrees will feel like the teens.
Scranton, Pennsylvania, temperature drop from Wednesday to Thursday.
(FOX Weather)
According to the FOX Forecast Center, flash freeze events are most common after a strong cold front and quick temperature drop.