LARGE WINTER STORM EXPECTED SUNDAY NIGHT & MONDAY MORNING… FLOOD WATCHES ISSUED FOR THE ENTIRE COAST… HIGH END MODERATE COASTAL FLOODING AND STRONG WINDS POSSIBLE…SNOW CHANGING TO RAIN ALSO EXPECTED
The National Weather Service (NWS) has coastal flood watches for all of the Connecticut coastline. Latest models continue tracking a large winter storm just to our west Sunday night and Monday. The threat of coastal flooding has increased along with an increase in wind speeds Sunday night. A burst of moderate to heavy snow may occur before a quick changeover to rain Sunday night. Here’s the latest forecast:
Sunday Evening: Snow spreading into the state between 8:00 – 11:00 PM. Temperatures holding in the low 20’s. Most road surfaces will be very cold and the snow is expected to stick immediately to most roads. A minor impact on evening driving is expected with a dusting to 1” of snow on most roads by midnight.
Sunday Night: Moderate to occasionally heavy snow changing quickly to rain starting at the coast and then moving inland between 1:00 – 5:00 AM. Snow covered roads are expected to become slush covered by daybreak. Temperatures are forecast to rise into the low 30’s by 6:00 AM. East winds gusting to 40 – 50 MPH at times along the coast may cause some scattered power outages.
Monday Morning: Rain is expected across most of the state with some pockets of sleet or freezing rain in the NW hills. Most roads should be wet with slush on the shoulders during a lighter than normal holiday rush hour with a minor impact expected.
COASTAL FLOODING: Moderate coastal flooding is possible during high tide at 9:00 AM in Eastern Long Island Sound (LIS). High end moderate coastal flooding (see graph to the right for the Bridgeport area) is possible just before 11:00 AM in western Long Island Sound between East Haven and Greenwich. At this time, it appears that the strongest easterly winds (red line with arrows) will occur around 5:00 AM, thus keeping the impact just below major levels. At high end moderate flood levels, many low lying roads may be inundated by 2 – 3 feet of water. Also, dozens of homes along the coast between Greenwich and East Haven will likely see some flooding in basements and crawl spaces.
Monday Afternoon: The rain may change back to light snow for a few hours before ending by late afternoon. Total accumulations are expected to range from 1” – 2” along the coast, 2” – 3” inland, and 3” – 5” in the NW Hills.
DESPP/ DEMHS will continue to closely monitor the latest forecasts.
The next update on this winter storm will be sent out at 1:00 PM Sunday Afternoon.