CRIPPLING AND POTENTIALLY HISTORIC BLIZZARD TO IMPACT THE AREA FROM LATE MONDAY INTO TUESDAY - as stated by the National Weather Service. A Blizzard Warning is now in effect for all of Connecticut. We may have a disaster on our hands, quite similar, if not, worse than what we experienced during the Great Blizzard of 2013. This will be the Blizzard of 2015 (#1). School Impact Probability Stats for Region 15 Based on Forecasts: MON - Full: 0% | Early Dismissal: 50% | Cancellation: 50% TUES - Cancellation: MANDATORY WED - Full/Delay: 10% | Cancellation: 90% THURS - Full/Delay: 80% | Cancellation: 20% School Discussion: Based on the magnitude of this storm, as well as a few of the computer models that bring snow into our area as early as 9am, I think it would be a safe move to close schools tomorrow. This would also give families adequate time to prepare. However, the last day of midterms is tomorrow at PHS and it should be safe enough to dismiss by 11:30, but after that, its iffy. An 11:30 dismissal at PHS could also conflict with the Emergency Early Dismissal protocol. As for Tuesday & Wednesday, all schools will likely be shut down. Time will be needed on Wednesday for cleanup. Heres what to expect: * Start time: 8am - noon Monday * End time: 2-8pm Tuesday * Hazard: Heavy snow and blowing snow with blizzard conditions * Snow consistency: powdery/dry * Temperatures: 16-25 degrees * Winds: North at 25-35 mph with gusts 45-60 mph * Accumulation: 15-30 inches with snow drifts possibly as high as 4-5 feet. Accumulations largely depend on where the heaviest bands of snow set up. They could set up to our west, to our east, or right over us. Were in the danger zone for highest snow totals. * Timeline for type & intensity of precip: - Start - 4pm Mon: Steady light snow, becoming heavier through the afternoon. 1-3 inches of accumulation possible by 4pm. - 4pm - midnight: Rapidly deteriorating conditions. Snow becoming heavy at times. Winds picking up. - Midnight - 8am Tues: WORST CONDITIONS. (BLIZZARD) Blinding, heavy snow, possibly accumulating 2-4 inches per hour at times. Strong, damaging winds, gusting to near 60 mph. Some thunder and lightning possible! - 8am - End: Heavy snow gradually winding down, but gusty winds will continue through the day before subsiding well after dark. - Lingering snow could hang around as late as Wednesday morning. * Impacts: LIFE-THREATENING CONDITIONS AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TRAVEL DUE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL AND STRONG WINDS...WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS. SECONDARY AND TERTIARY ROADS MAY BECOME IMPASSABLE. STRONG WINDS MAY DOWN POWER LINES AND TREE LIMBS. PREPARE TO LOSE POWER. MOST OF THE STATE WILL BE SHUT DOWN. DO NOT TRAVEL AFTER 4PM TOMORROW. The snow wont be going anywhere soon as subfreezing temperatures are expected for as far out as I can see in the forecast. ANOTHER period of snow is possible on Friday. If a couple inches of snow and timing come together, we may be dealing with some more issues on Friday. BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES!!! WERE IN FOR IT. And just to think, two days ago, we were expecting nothing but flurries Monday night. Weather can really spring surprises on us. Make sure you PREPARE. This could be a DISASTER. Check back here tomorrow for more updates. Stay safe and stay warm.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 00:55:14 +0000