LARGE, ELEVATION DEPENDANT MIXED STORM EXPECTED TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING…WINTER STORM WARNING ISSUED FOR NORTHERN LITCHFIELD COUNTY…
LARGE, ELEVATION DEPENDANT MIXED STORM EXPECTED TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING…WINTER STORM WARNING ISSUED FOR NORTHERN LITCHFIELD COUNTY…
The GFS, NAM and HRRR models are in good agreement that a large storm will impact our area tonight and last until Saturday morning. Temperatures are borderline and snowfall from this storm is expected to depend on the elevation of a town above sea level in western CT. Another characteristic of this storm may be that the harder the precipitation falls the more likely it will be in the form of wet snow. This means that the precipitation in the lower hills may change back and forth from snow to rain multiple times during the storm. The primary hazard is wet snow at higher elevations which may cause local power outages from the weight of the snow on branches and wires. This storm is large but not intense, therefore, strong winds and coastal flooding are not expected at this time. Here’s the current forecast based on a blend of the computer models and the NWS forecast:
This Evening and Overnight: Cloudy with mixed precipitation moving into the state from the southwest by 6:00 PM. The mixed precipitation is expected to change over to wet snow in the western hills and parts of northern CT by 9:00 PM. Temperatures in the low 30’s are forecast to begin slowly rising after midnight. The wet snow across northern CT is expected to change back to rain after midnight, however, the snowfall in the western hills is expected to pick up in intensity during the late evening and continue into the early hours of Friday morning with snowfall rates up to 1” per hour above 1,000 feet.
Friday: Any remaining snow or mixed precipitation is expected to change to rain by the end of the morning rush hour across most of the state. The impact on the morning rush hour is expected to be minor with most roads being wet. Some slush and snow cover could remain on the higher elevation roads in the NW hills where the precipitation may change back and forth from snow to rain during the day with temperatures in the low to mid 30’s.
Friday Night: The rain is expected to lighten up slightly and change back to mixed precipitation Friday evening and eventually to light snow overnight. Lows are forecast to be near 30 F. The light snow is forecast to finally end Saturday morning.
DESPP / DEMHS will continue to monitor the latest forecasts. Additional updates may be issued if the wet snow falls at lower than expected elevations and/or additional winter storm warnings are issued.