Dec 13, 2013 1 min read

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A snow and ice storm headed for the Northeast is expected to slow weekend travel and has utilities and airports on alert.

The National Weather Service says six to 12 inches of snow is expected from Saturday to Sunday in most of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Areas north and west of New York City also could get eight inches or more. Sleet and freezing rain also are expected.

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

However, crews have treated highways before recent snowfalls with salt, helping to keep snow from bonding.

Nursick says the timing is good because fewer cars are on the roads on weekends.