April Fools' Storm to Bring Mix of Rain, Snow

An April Fools' Day nor'easter will not pack as much of a wallop for North Reading as forecasters initially predicted.

According to the National Weather Service, North Reading could pick up close to three inches of wet snow between late Thursday night and Friday evening. However, the precipitation is expected to change to rain Friday morning and may switch back to snow later in the day Friday, according to the forecast.

The heaviest snow is expected to fall in central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service has issued a winter weather advisory for the North Reading area, effective from 8 p.m. Thursday through 2 a.m. Saturday. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-30s, according to the forecast.

A mainly rain event would spare an already hobbled snow and ice removal budget. As of early March, North Reading had spent more than $700,000 on snow removal this past winter, around $400,000 more than what was available at the start of the season.