January 26, 2015

The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Watch for all of Southern Connecticut for Monday afternoon thru Tuesday night.  A long duration (36-hour) very high impact (Blizzard) Northeaster is currently expected.  Please see the attached preliminary snowfall forecast.

Here’s a detailed forecast based on the current weather models:

Monday…A weak clipper system is forecast to move east off the North Carolina Coast Monday morning.  Light snow is forecast to spread into Connecticut between 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.  The light snow is forecast to increase in intensity during the afternoon reaching a moderate level by 4:00 PM. The impact on the afternoon commute is currently expected to be minor to moderate with a dry powdery snow cover on most roads of around 2 inches.

Monday Night…The storm rapidly intensifies and turns due north (still 150 miles off the coast).  Snow is expected to become heavy (snowfall rates 2 – 3″ per hour) by midnight with strong NE winds gusting to 40 MPH inland and 60 MPH at the coast.  Near blizzard or blizzard conditions can be expected overnight with temperatures in the upper teens and wind chills near 0 F.  Considerable blowing and drifting of snow with a major impact on all travel.

Tuesday…Blizzard conditions thru the morning (snowfall rates up to 4″ per hour) with the snow intensity forecast to lessen to a moderate level by early afternoon.  Continued windy during the afternoon with moderate snow falling and gusts to 40 MPH inland and 60 MPH at the coast.  Considerable blowing and drifting of snow with highs only in the low 20’s.  Major impact on all travel during the day.

Tuesday Night…Snow ending by midnight with total accumulations ranging between 24″ – 36″ (locally higher amounts over 40″ are possible in Eastern CT).

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will continue to monitor this very serious storm