First blast of winter turning to rain

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

A light dusting of snow covered Nevins Farm today in Methuen.

By Globe Staff

The first blast of winter blanketed the Berkshires and the Connecticut River Valley today with up to 2 1/2 inches of snow, causing a host of accidents on slippery roads in the western part of the state.

In Boston, a steady stream of flakes swirled in the air at noon, but the ground was too warm for it to stick. In the western suburbs, less than 1/10 of an inch accumulated, dusting roads and lawns.

The flakes are expected to turn to rain this afternoon when temperatures edge into the upper 30s, according to Bill Simpson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Taunton. The rain will wash any snow off roads and the evening commute should be no worse than normal, Simpson said.

Warmer temperatures are expected to eliminate any chance of snow through the weekend. That could make for muddy football games on Thanksgiving Day, when 50- and 60-degree temperatures will probably be sullied by rain.

Skies should be sunny and clear over the weekend, with temperatures in the low to mid 40s, Simpson said.

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