Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia Face Dangerous I-95 Ice Glaze as Freezing Rain Pushes East Overnight

EASTERN UNITED STATES — A dangerous freezing rain event is unfolding along the I-95 corridor, impacting large parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and northern Virginia, as a final band of precipitation lays down a fresh glaze of ice while temperatures rapidly fall into the teens and 20s behind the system.

Radar imagery shows the back edge of freezing rain aligned closely with Interstate 95, steadily pushing eastward. As colder air surges in from the west, rain is freezing on contact with roadways, bridges, sidewalks, and untreated surfaces — creating extremely hazardous travel conditions, especially overnight and into early Monday morning.

Freezing Rain Along I-95 Creating Rapid Ice Accumulation

Meteorologists tracking the system say this is the most dangerous phase of the storm for commuters. While precipitation intensity is decreasing, falling temperatures are making conditions worse, not better.

Key impacts include:

• Fresh ice glaze forming quickly as rain freezes on contact
• Secondary and back roads becoming treacherous
• Bridges and overpasses icing first
• Salt and chemical treatments becoming less effective as temperatures drop

Areas most affected include:

• Eastern Pennsylvania: Philadelphia metro, suburbs, I-95 approaches
• Central and Northern New Jersey: Trenton, New Brunswick, coastal plain
• Northern Delaware: Wilmington and surrounding areas
• Maryland: Baltimore metro, eastern and central counties
• Northern Virginia: Fredericksburg northward toward DC suburbs

Cold Air Surge Worsening Road Conditions Overnight

Radar analysis shows a **union of two dangerous elements:

• Lingering freezing rain
• A strong push of cold, dry Arctic air behind it

This combination is locking ice in place and allowing refreezing of any wet surfaces, even where precipitation has already ended. Forecasters stress that roads may look wet but are actually ice-covered, particularly before sunrise.

The worst conditions are expected:

• Late Sunday night
• Pre-dawn Monday morning commute

“Last Push” of Precipitation Still Causing Big Problems

Although this is the final band of precipitation, its timing is problematic. Even light freezing rain or drizzle is enough to significantly worsen travel, given surface temperatures falling rapidly below freezing.

Officials warn:

• Do not assume conditions are improving just because radar appears lighter
• Ice will remain a threat even after precipitation ends
• Cleanup and treatment efforts may lag behind falling temperatures

Travel Advisory: Slow Down or Stay Off Roads If Possible

Emergency managers and weather experts strongly urge drivers to:

• Delay travel if possible overnight and early Monday
• Use extreme caution on untreated roads
• Reduce speed dramatically
• Increase following distance
• Be especially cautious on ramps, bridges, and side streets

This is a classic black ice setup, where visibility does not match the danger.

Bottom Line

A narrow but dangerous freezing rain corridor is sweeping east along I-95, impacting Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia with fresh ice accumulation just as bitter cold sets in. Conditions may worsen overnight despite precipitation tapering off.

Stay with WaldronNews.com for overnight updates, road condition alerts, and school or government delay information. If you’re seeing icy roads where you live, share your conditions in the comments to help others stay safe.