Snow, Ice Accumulation Estimates Increase For CT Weekend Storm

By Thursday night the National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Watch for all of Connecticut beginning Saturday evening and continuing into Sunday afternoon. A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for six or more inches of snow accumulation.

For the immediate Connecticut coast, the NWS predicts, "Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow and sleet accumulations of 3 to 6 inches and ice accumulations of up to one tenth of an inch possible."

For inland sections of Southern Connecticut, the NWS is forecasting, "Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow and sleet accumulations of 4 to 8 inches and ice accumulations of around one tenth to a quarter of an inch."

For Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties, the NWS is predicting "Heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Total snow accumulations of 6 inches or more possible with the highest risk north of the Massachusetts turnpike. Highest potential for over a foot of snow is north of route 2 in Massachusetts. In addition, ice accretion of one tenth to three tenths of an inch are possible mainly to the south of the Massachusetts turnpike with localized amounts up to one half inch possible."

And in Litchfield County, the NWS is predicting, "Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow and sleet accumulations in excess of 7 inches in 12 hours and ice accumulations of up to two tenths of an inch possible. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph."

On the surface the predicted snow accumulation totals reflect a moderate snowstorm at best, but what makes this powerful storm such a major concern is the significant amount of icing that is predicted to fall on top of the snow Sunday morning. The ice may be so heavy in areas that power outages are possible and travel may be treacherous.

Temps will be falling from around the freezing mark Sunday morning down into the single digits through the day.

And as for Friday morning's nuisance snow, we're still on track for a coating up to two inches of accumulation.

Here's the latest from Connecticut's weather experts:

See also: Iconic Connecticut Bakery Closes, Questions Arise

Principal Leaves After Shoving Student Video Surfaces

Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch

Well for those of you who have been impatiently waiting for snow, here is some good news for you. It now appears the entire state will see accumulating snow from this weekend's expected powerful storm.

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Hartford, Tolland, Windham, and Litchfield counties beginning Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening. The National Weather Service says, "Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow accumulations of 6 inches or more, along with ice accumulations of up to four tenths of an inch, are possible."

Litchfield County may see even more snow as "total snow and sleet accumulations in excess of 7 inches in 12 hours and ice accumulations of up to two tenths of an inch possible. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph."

For Southern Connecticut, a Winter Storm Watch has just been issued as of 3:30 p.m. in advance of the weekend storm. For inland sections of Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties, the National Weather Service is currently projecting three to five inches of snow accumulation followed by a period of icing Sunday morning.

For coastal areas of Southern Connecticut, the NWS is expecting two to four inches of snow accumulation before a period of ice and rain on Sunday morning and afternoon.

Timing Of Weekend Storm

The worst of the snow is forecast for Saturday night and the early morning hours of Sunday, but then the snow is expected to mix with sleet and freezing rain after 9 a.m. Sunday and continue into the afternoon hours. If this all happens, it will be a massive mess on the roads as temps will drop like a rock and everything will freeze on contact.

Temps will be be in the single digits by late Sunday night as an arctic blast moves through.

Friday Snow

The snow begins after midnight and it will be very light, but it is expected to continue through the morning rush hour. The NWS is projecting 1 to 2 inches of snow for Connecticut. Think of Friday's little snow as the appetizer before the weekend's main course.

WTNH News 8 Meteorologist Gil Simmons said, "Light snow starts around midnight tonight. The snow will impact the first part of the Friday morning commute. I am expecting some school delays on Friday. Temperatures Friday afternoon will go above freezing. Dry weather Saturday day followed by snow developing Saturday evening and night. The snow will switch to ice for much of Connecticut on Sunday. There could be some rain for southeastern Connecticut before it ends as an icy mix." (To sign up for free, local breaking news alerts from more than 100 Connecticut communities, click here.)

See also: Woman Charged For Death Of Dogs In CT: Police

Dead Whale Missing From CT Has Been Found

New Restaurant Opening This Spring

Good Samaritan Credited With Catching Purse Snatcher: Police