Northeast braces for snow, ice storm

HARTFORD, Conn. - A snow and ice storm headed for the Northeast was expected to slow weekend travel by air, rail and highway and had utilities and airports on alert.

The National Weather Service said 6 to 12 inches of snow was expected from today to Sunday in most of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Areas north and west of New York City also could get 8 inches or more. And sleet and freezing rain were expected.

A saltwater solution applied to roads before storms won’t work now because temperatures are too low and the saltwater would freeze, said Kevin Nursick, spokesman at the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

However, crews have treated highways before recent snowfalls with salt, helping to keep snow from bonding. And the storm will not affect workday commutes.

Matthew Brelis, a spokesman for Boston’s Logan Airport, expects the brunt of the storm tonight but will evaluate conditions as forecasts change.

Caroline Pretyman, a spokesman for Northeast Utilities, which serves electric and gas customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, said extra crews would be available beginning overnight Saturday to respond to power failures.

And Metro-North, which runs trains between New York City and suburban Connecticut, Long Island and New York’s Hudson Valley, said on its website it may reduce or suspend service “depending on the severity of the weather.” It cautioned that snow and subfreezing temperatures can create moisture that could freeze brake lines, door mechanisms, switches and signals.

Front Section, Pages 9 on 12/14/2013

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