Nor'easter To Bring Snow, Heavy Rain, 40 MPH Wind Gusts To CT: New Details

CONNECTICUT — We know for certain that a nor'easter will greatly impact Connecticut's weather beginning late Thursday and for most of Friday, but it's still unclear what exactly the impacts will be.

In a Wednesday update, the National Weather Service said parts of the state may receive snow accumulation from this coastal storm. The best chances for accumulating snow are in Litchfield County, interior sections of southwestern southern Connecticut, and in the higher elevations of northwestern Connecticut.

A winter storm watch has already been issued for Hartford County. "Heavy, wet snow possible. Snow accumulations will vary with elevation. The best chance for 6 inches or more over higher elevations. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph."

The remainder of the state is poised to receive heavy rain and strong wind gusts.

"There is still some uncertainty on the track the storm will take; regardless, both morning and evening commutes Friday will be impacted in some form or fashion – because of this, we’ve declared an Early Warning Weather Alert," said WFSB 3 TV Chief Meteorologist Mark Dixon with Scot Haney. "We have the potential of seeing snow, a wintry mix, and a plain/chilly rain across our small state."

"The latest trends continue to indicate the coastal storm, or Nor’easter, could hug the coast therefore we’d see a variety of types. If it were to go farther offshore, this would be a snowier scenario," WFSB 3 TV meteorologists said. "Conversely, if it goes west (what we call an inside runner), it would be a wetter scenario. The wind will also increase....Currently, it appears the highest likelihood for plowable snow will be across the Hills of NW CT." (Watch the WFSB 3 TV weather forecast here).

National Weather Service update for southern Connecticut

Total Snowfall: Up to 2 inches for the Lower Hudson Valley and interior portions of SW CT....A rain/snow mix is possible but little to no accumulation of snow expected for other interior
locations.

The weather service said for inland sections of Fairfield and New Haven counties, "There is potential for a light accumulation of wet snowfall Thursday evening into early Friday morning, particularly across higher elevations. Confidence is low at this point on the magnitude of accumulations, as temperatures will only be marginally cold. This will be refined over the next 24 hours."

Rain: An inch and half of rain is forecast for the region, too.

Winds: A period of easterly/southeasterly wind gusts of 30-35 mph is possible inland, with 35-45 mph gusts over coastal areas and the waters late Thursday and early Friday.

Coastal Flooding: Minor coastal flooding (isolated moderate) is possible late Thursday night through Friday across the South Shore Bays of Long Island, the lower NY Harbor, the Long Island Sound along the CT shoreline, and portions of the Forks of Long Island

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National Weather Service update for northern Connecticut

"...expecting a windswept rain for much of the region this period. However, lingering cold air over the interior (perhaps Brandley Airport and points northwest) may be sufficient for a period of snow and sleet at the onset."

Any snow and sleet is expected to changeover to all rain, the weather service said. "The exception maybe across western MA & northwest CT where soundings suggest elevations above 1000 ft may remain all snow. Hence, snowfall will likely be very elevation dependent."

Litchfield County update via the National Weather Service

A winter storm watch is in effect for far northern sections of Litchfield County. "A mix of rain and heavy snow is expected. Snow accumulations of 6 inches or more are possible....Snow accumulations will vary by elevation. The best chance for 6 inches or more of snow will be at locations above 1000 feet."