WEATHER UPDATE: Winter Storm Warning Issued for East Hampton and Portland

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning that is in effect from 1 p.m. this afternoon until 1 p.m. Sunday, and during that period of time near blizzard conditions are forecast for late tonight and early Sunday.

The warning is for snow of course, but the biggest concern are winds that could gust to up to 50 m.p.h. Snow is expected to accumulate between 5-8 inches before the storm ends by midday Sunday.

A Wind Chill Watch is also in effect from late Sunday into Monday morning as windchills readings could reach 30 below zero.

Light snow is forecast to begin this afternoon with the heaviest occurring late tonight through Sunday morning. The winds will be at its strongest during the same time period and sustained winds will be 25-35 m.p.h.

There will be considerable blowing and drifting snow with whiteout conditions at time, the National Weather Service predicts. Travel could be dangerous after midnight, the weather service says.

Valentine’s Day dinner plans

NBC Connecticut Darren Sweeney writes on Facebook that snow will develop between noon and 2 p.m. But Sweeney writes that the snow will remain fairly light through this evening with just 2 inches of accumulation by midnight. And he estimates an inch or less of accumulation by dinner time.

So if you have dinner plans, be careful when driving, but it doesn’t look like you need to cancel your plans.

“Toward morning, snow could become moderate to heavy at times, Sweeney writes. “The bottom line: we won’t see major snow accumulations from this storm, but the wind and light fluffy snow combined will create the biggest issues through Sunday afternoon.”

Here is the National Weather Service’s hyperlocal forecast for East Hampton and Portland.

Today, Snow likely, mainly after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 25. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Tonight Snow. Low around 13. Wind chill values between -5 and 5. Blustery, with a south wind 6 to 11 mph becoming northwest 19 to 24 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Sunday Snow, mainly before noon. High near 15. Wind chill values between -5 and -10. Windy, with a northwest wind 30 to 37 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around -8. Wind chill values between -20 and -30. Windy, with a northwest wind 17 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph.

Image from Accuweather.com