Connecticut Weather: Blizzard Warning For Interior Sections, Coast Dropped To A Storm Warning

The snow is falling and some areas in western Connecticut have already received five inches of snow this morning as the heavy bands of snow are beginning to move into the state now.

Most of Connecticut is still looking at 12 inches or more of snow, but at the immediate coast there appears to be more mixing that will occur now, which could curtail massive snow accumulation. Blizzard warnings remain in effect for much of the state except for the Interstate 95 corridor, which just had Blizzard warnings dropped to a Winter Storm Warning as of 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Gov. Malloy’s travel ban on Connecticut roads went into effect at 5 a.m. and if you violate the ban you could face a $92 fine. (To signup and receive free news and weather alerts from your hometown in Connecticut click here.)

WTNH News 8 Meteorologist Gil Simmons said “Snow will get steady & heavier this morning! Many places will have a foot of snow on the ground before any mixing or changeover. Highest snow totals will be Western and Northwestern Connecticut.”

Simmons said the mixing at the Shoreline could occur around noon and it would impact snow totals along the Interstate 95 corridor. The entire Connecticut coast had its snow accumulation estimate drop to 4 to 12 inches because of the change to sleet that is expected, the National Weather Service states. Previously, this area was projected to receive 12 to 18 inches of snow, so this is a major change.

NBC Connecticut Meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan wrote, “Updated blizzard accumulation forecast to account for more mixing with sleet and rain.” He said the worst of the snow moves through between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Hanrahan is predicting 18-24 inches for northwestern parts of Connecticut, 12 to 18 inches for most of the rest of the state except for southeastern Connecticut where they will see 8 to 12 inches because of mixing.

WFSB 3 TV says “Up to 25 inches may fall in western Connecticut, up to 18 inches down the middle of the state and potentially 12 inches in New London county.” Meteorologist Scot Haney says the state could see thundersnow at times Tuesday.

See related story: Malloy Announces Impending Travel Ban Due To Connecticut Blizzard

Here’s the updated forecast from the National Weather Service:

Northern sections of Fairfield, New Haven, and northern areas of Middlesex and New London counties:

Blizzard warning in effect until midnight as inland areas could see 1 to 2 feet of snow. Snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour at times.

Southern areas of Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties:

Winter Storm Warning in effect until midnight with snow accumulating 4 to 12 inches here. Snow is expected to mix with or change to sleet and rain from this morning into this afternoon. The precipitation is expected to change back to all snow before ending this evening. Winds could gust up to 60 miles per hour.

Hartford and Tolland counties:

Blizzard warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. and snow could accumulate 12 to 18 inches. Snow will overspread the region through 7 am this morning. The snow will quickly become heavy by late morning with 2 to 4 inch per hour snowfall rates possible at times into the afternoon. The snow may end as a bit of sleet or freezing rain across portions of northern CT. The snow will taper off early this evening. Winds could gust up to 55 mph at times.