LARGE WINTER STORM TO IMPACT THE AREA TONIGHT & MONDAY MORNING…FLOOD WARNINGS ISSUED FOR THE ENTIRE COAST… HIGH END MODERATE COASTAL FLOODING AND STRONG WINDS EXPECTED…WINTER STORM WARNING ISSUED FOR NORTHERN LITCHFIELD COUNTY…HIGH WIND WARNING ISSUED FOR SOUTHEAST COAST
The latest track forecasts from the computer models have remained nearly the same as yesterday with slightly higher snowfall amounts. The threat of coastal flooding remains about the same. Here’s the latest forecast based on a blend of the models:
This Evening: Snow spreading into the state from southwest to northeast between 8:00 – 11:00 PM. Temperatures holding in the mid 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.
Overnight: Moderate to heavy snow (snowfall rates of 1” – 2” per hour) changing quickly to rain starting at the coast around 1:00 AM and then moving inland to the Hartford area by 3:00 AM. Snow covered roads are expected to become slush covered by daybreak. Temperatures are forecast to rise into the upper 30’s by 6:00 AM. East winds gusting to 45 – 60 MPH at times along the coast are expected to cause a high end minor impact on power outages.
Monday Morning: Rain is expected across most of the state with some pockets of sleet or freezing rain in the NW hills. The rain is expected to begin turning back to light snow in Western CT by late in the morning. 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 expected 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 expected just before 11:00 AM in western Long Island Sound between East Haven and Greenwich. It still 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 will 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 light snow is forecast to end by late afternoon. Total accumulations are expected to range from less than 1” along the coast, 1” – 3” in the valleys, 3” – 6” in the NE and most of the NW Hills and 6” – 10” in the highest elevations of 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 7:00 PM this evening.