The University of Massachusetts cancelled all night classes last night as a winter weather storm system threatened western Massachusetts with a combination of rain, sleet, freezing rain and snow.

The National Weather Service (NWS) expected snow to develop across northwest Massachusetts into New Hampshire last night. A winter weather warning was issued for Franklin, Hampshire and the northern Worcester counties of Massachusetts and two counties in New Hampshire.

NWS reported that snow could become heavy overnight, with snow accumulation ranging from four to eight inches. Overall, NWS expected five to ten inches of accumulation locally.

The winter weather system, which stretched from Ohio to Washington, D.C. yesterday morning, coated roads with ice. Schools in Washington D.C. were closed or opened late. NWS reported that all planes at Dulles Airport outside of Washington were grounded.

Ohio also found themselves under heavy winter weather advisories and warnings this morning as the system pushed through.

Areas around Albany, New York, also were issued a severe weather advisory. NWS reported that rain turned over to snow last night more quickly than expected and said it was possible that snow could fall there at the rate of an inch or two an hour. Five to 10 inches of snow were also expected there.

– Dan Lamothe