Long Duration Storm Expected from Thursday Morning into Friday Morning

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service from Thursday Morning to Friday Morning.  A Snow Emergency has been declared in Stamford beginning 7:00PM tonight.  On this winter storm track Stamford can expect a period of moderate to heavy snow Thursday morning, changing to a light to moderate mix Thursday afternoon and potentially back to moderate snow late Thursday Night.  

Tonight:

Increasing clouds with light snow developing between 2:00 – 4:00 AM.  Lows in the upper teens to mid 20’s.

Thursday:

Snow, increasing in intensity during the morning rush hour with 1″ – 2″ of snow on roadways by 7:00 AM and 1″ – 2″ inches of additional snow during the morning rush hour.  The snow is forecast to become heavy at times by 9:00 AM and continue thru the midday and into early Thursday afternoon.  The precipitation intensity is forecast to drop back down to a light mix by 2:00 PM with a mix of rain, some freezing rain and sleet across most of the state during the afternoon rush hour and into Thursday evening. Temperatures are forecast to range from the upper 20’s in Northern CT to the low 30’s along the coast during the day.  Northeast winds are forecast to gradually increase during the day reaching 20 – 25 MPH with gusts to 35 MPH by the afternoon rush hour.

Currently the impact on the morning rush hour is expected to be minor across Northern CT and moderate in Southern CT with a light to moderate snow cover on most roads.  The impact on the afternoon rush hour is expected to be minor along the coast with slush on roads, moderate across most of the rest of the state, with a moderate snow cover to locally major in Northern CT near the MA border where some roads may be very slick and snow covered.  The NE winds combined with the wet snow may result in a minor number of power outages.

Thursday Night:

Mixed precipitation changing back to snow in Western CT around midnight and across the rest of the state by 3:00 AM.  There will likely be another period of moderate to occasionally heavy snow across Western and Northern CT between midnight and 5:00 AM with 2″ – 5″ inches of additional accumulation especially in Northern CT.  The snow is forecast to end completely by 6:00 AM on Friday.  The impact on the Friday morning rush hour is forecast to be moderate with snow cover on most roads and some patches of black ice.

Total accumulations are expected to range from 5″ – 8″ along the coast, 8″ – 14″ across most of the state and up to 16″ in the NW Hills.

Hazard types:

Snow Accumulations possible of 5 to 14 inches.   Visibilities of one quarter mile or less at times with winds northeast 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Temperatures in the upper 20s. Snowfall will make travel hazardous. With heavy wet snow trees may be susceptible to falling.

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions:

Significant amounts of snow are forecast and will make travel hazardous. If you must travel use caution and keep an extra flashlight food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

Severe weather conditions may also bring power outages. Be prepared for possible loss of power.

Extreme cold conditions will exist. Preparation is very important. Residents are urged to be fully prepared for extreme cold during this winter storm.

Winter storms are dangerous.  People can be injured in traffic accidents, on icy roads, from falls and from hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold.

Snow Removal Safety Tips

• Property owners must remove snow as per City Ordinance which mandates the removal of snow and ice on sidewalks in front of homes and businesses within twelve (12) hours of the ceasing of such snow fall or freezing; or if such fall or freezing is in the nighttime, before 10:00 a.m. of the succeeding day so that such sidewalk shall be safe for public travel.
• Stretch before you go out for snow removal. If you go out to shovel snow, do a few stretching exercises to warm up your body. This may prevent injury.
• Avoid overexertion. Cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. Unfamiliar exercise, such as shoveling snow or pushing a car, can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse. Take frequent rest breaks, and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
• For safety, snow and ice is mandated to be removed from passenger cars, trucks and commercial vehicles because of the dangers of ice missiles.

Stay Informed Visit:

www.StamfordCT.gov

Fairfield County Public Radio (WSHU) – 1400 AM (WSTC)

WSHU Stamford Radio – 91.1 FM

WGCH Radio – 1490 AM

Fox Radio 95.9 FM

News 12 Connecticut, Channel 12

To prepare for and respond to severe weather visit:

Be Prepared Stamford:
http://bepreparedstamford.org/ColdWeather.htm

CT Dept. of Public Health:
http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3115&q=472542

FEMA’s Ready.Gov:
www.ready.gov

National Weather Service:
www.weather.gov