You don't have to dream. Christmas this year is expect to be white — as well as icy.

 

The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., has issued a winter weather advisory until 5 a.m. Friday, particularly for Pittsfield and North County, Southern Vermont and eastern New York. 

 

Snow will start falling this afternoon and early evening before turning to rain overnight. Isolated pockets of freezing rain are possible. 

 

The snow, sleet and windy conditions are expected create slippery roads and reduced visibility across the county. Strong winds beginning this evening could cause tree damage overnight. 

 

A flood watch is also in effect and minor flooding has been forecast along the Hoosic River in Williamstown over the next 48 hours. 

 

A strong cold front moving through Friday afternoon could bring a quick coating of snow and a potential flash freeze as temperatures drop significantly and rapidly following the cold front passage.

 

Temperatures could plummet to 13 degrees below zero. 

 

National Grid and Eversource say they are positioning crews and equipment in preparation of freezing temperatures and wind gusts that could result in downed power lines. 

 

National Grid says it has 645 crew and nearly 2,000 personnel ready to respond, with crews coming from as far as Texas, Florida and Mississippi. 

 

Eversource say it is closely monitoring weather forecasts and bringing in hundreds of outside crews to assist its regular complement of contractors. 

 

Customers are encouraged to prepare for the storm by assembling or restocking a storm kit which should include essentials like flashlights, batteries, water, non-perishable foods, pet food and any needed medications. In addition, make sure cell phones and devices are fully charged, create an emergency plan with family members and prepare to check on elderly neighbors and friends.

 

Downed wires should be avoided and reported immediately to 911. Outages can be reported to Eversource by calling 877-659-6326 or to National Grid at www.nationalgridus.com or 1-800-465-1212.

 

Accuweather says this massive storm system is expected to dump more than a foot of snow across the Midwest, freeze the Northeast and put the Texas power grid to the test. 

 

The storm is already disrupting transportation during one of heaviest travel times of the year. 

 

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency says it is coordinating with more than 500 local public safety partners and utilities. 

 

The president even weighed in, encouraging people to heed their local warnings and let his own staff leave early. 

 

"It's not like a snow day when you were a kid," he said from the Oval Office. "This is serious stuff. ... if you all have travel plans — leave now."

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Biden urges Americans to heed winter storm warnings: "Take this storm extremely seriously." https://t.co/H2QG6nzqGL pic.twitter.com/akL3Kvsy09

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) December 22, 2022

Traveling for the holidays? Prepare for rain, wind, and snow Thursday night through Saturday morning. Drive safe and check https://t.co/v2W0B7nXYc before you go. https://t.co/kq93mMCJLc

— Mass. Transportation (@MassDOT) December 22, 2022

Friday's temperature forecast...umm yeah....kinda interesting in that the bitterly cold air will be coming in on a southwest wind...that's a wind direction we typically associate with moderate or warm air masses. Not this time pic.twitter.com/UsMDD6ZoHw

— Steve LaPointe (@CBS6Steve) December 22, 2022

Snow will add up the most in the Adks. and higher terrain in VT. where it will last well into the night. Elsewhere, so will change to rain this evening and tonight, first in the valleys, then in the local higher elevations. Slick roads likely in the hills and mountains this eve. pic.twitter.com/tWs8kAZyRl

— Steve LaPointe (@CBS6Steve) December 22, 2022

We are expecting a powerful storm system to bring high winds, heavy rain, and minor to moderate coastal flooding followed by a drop in ?? to the #MAwx region beginning tonight.

MEMA, along with state agencies, local partners, and utility providers are actively preparing. pic.twitter.com/nAeirozB4A

— MEMA (@MassEMA) December 22, 2022

Here's an idea of how the temperature plunge and flash freeze will go tomorrow. Avoid travel if you can during the first couple of hours until road crews can get out to treat. Surfaces will ice up quickly in the afternoon. pic.twitter.com/dXkgogW81G

— Steve LaPointe (@CBS6Steve) December 22, 2022

Some lake effect snow showers around for the holiday weekend, but limited...otherwise largely dry but bitterly cold. Sub-zero wind chills, especially Saturday morning, but likely by a few degrees again Christmas morning. Brrrrr pic.twitter.com/E1n755v5nS

— Steve LaPointe (@CBS6Steve) December 22, 2022