FRIGID WIND CHILLS EXPECTED TONIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING… LARGE WINTER STORM EXPECTED SUNDAY NIGHT & MONDAY MORNING… SNOW, SLEET, FREEZING RAIN AND PLAIN RAIN EXPECTED… SOME MINOR COASTAL FLOODING ALSO POSSIBLE
EXWU0071 - January Severe Cold Full Weather Report
FRIGID WIND CHILLS EXPECTED TONIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING…
LARGE WINTER STORM EXPECTED SUNDAY NIGHT & MONDAY MORNING…
SNOW, SLEET, FREEZING RAIN AND PLAIN RAIN EXPECTED…
SOME MINOR COASTAL FLOODING ALSO POSSIBLE…
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued wind chill advisories for most of the state except the coastline (please see the wind chill forecast below to the right) for tonight and Saturday morning. Fairly strong north winds gusting to 30 – 40 MPH at times combined with arctic cold air spilling into the state from the Northwest this evening are expected to push wind chills down to -15 to -20 F overnight into early Saturday morning. Actual low temperatures are expected to range from zero to +10 F across the state. Highs on Saturday are forecast to remain in the low to mid teens. Lows Saturday night are forecast to drop into the single digits with lighter winds. Persons are advised to dress in layers if going out, drink plenty of water and monitor yourself for frostbite.
All of the major computer models are indicating that a large winter storm will form near the Carolina’s Sunday evening and then move north northeast towards New England Sunday night. Cold air is expected to be anchored over our area Sunday evening. The storm is currently forecast to move just west of the state putting Connecticut on the warmer side of the storm. Here’s a preliminary forecast based on a consensus of all of the models:
Sunday: Increasing clouds during the afternoon with highs in the mid 20’s.
Sunday Evening: Snow spreading into the state between 9:00 PM and Midnight. 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 for a few hours between midnight and 3:00 AM. The snow is then forecast to change over to sleet, then freezing rain and over to plain rain starting at the coast and then moving inland between 3:00 – 7:00 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 30 – 40 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. Minor coastal flooding is expected during high tide at 9:00 AM in Eastern Long Island Sound (LIS). Moderate coastal flooding 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 will occur earlier than the high tide, thus limiting the impact somewhat.
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” – 4” inland, and 4” – 6” in the NW Hills.
DESPP/DEMHS will continue to closely monitor the latest forecasts.
Another update will be sent out at 1:00 PM Saturday afternoon.