Large Nor’easter to Impact Newtown Saturday Night and Sunday Followed by Flash Freeze Sunday Night

Winter Storm Warning Issued for Litchfield County, Watches Issued by NWS for Rest of State

The GFS and NAM models are in fair to good agreement that a large northeaster will impact all of New England Saturday night and Sunday followed by an arctic cold outbreak Sunday night lasting into the middle of next week.  Some differences still exist between the models and any change in the storm track could still significantly change snowfall amounts.  The following forecast is based on a blend of the GFS and NAM models:

Saturday Evening: Snow is forecast to spread into the state from southwest to northeast between 5:00 – 8:00 PM.  Towns should expect snow to become heavy at times by midnight.  Temperatures are forecast to hold in the 20’s.

Saturday Night: Moderate to heavy snow is forecast to change over to a mix from south to north overnight.  A mix line is expected to reach the coast by 1:00 AM and then move north to the Hartford area by 4:00 AM.  Total accumulations before the change to sleet and freezing rain are forecast to range from 2” – 4” near the coast, 6” – 10” in the Hartford area, up to 10” – 14” in the NW hills.  A moderate to major impact on overnight driving is expected in northern and central CT and a moderate impact is expected along the coast with several inches of snow cover on most roads. 

Sunday Morning: A mix of sleet and some freezing rain is expected in central and northern CT with plain rain in southern CT.  Temperatures are forecast to rise into the mid 30’s at the coast.  However temperatures inland are forecast to hold in the 20’s.  Freezing rain may cause some icing on power lines and trees.  The icing combined with NE winds gusting to 30 – 35 MPH and the weight of the overnight snow on trees may cause a moderate impact on power outages across the state.  Minor to isolated pockets of moderate coastal flooding are also possible during high tide at 10:00 AM in Western Long Island Sound.  A moderate impact on driving is expected. 

Sunday Afternoon: The mixed precipitation is forecast to change back to a few hours of light snow and end by mid-afternoon.  Temperatures are forecast to begin rapidly falling late in the afternoon which is expected to flash freeze any standing water on roads. 

Sunday Night: Bitterly cold air is forecast to rush into the state Sunday night with temperatures falling to near 0 F by daybreak on Monday with wind chills between -10 and -25 F.  A minor to moderate impact on driving is expected overnight. 

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will continue to closely monitor this approaching storm.

Learn more and receive updates on NWS website here.

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Submitted by Newtown, CT

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