'Crippling and Potentially Historic Blizzard' Takes Aim at Enfield

The National Weather Service (NWS) has scrapped its winter storm watch and has issued a blizzard warning that will go into effect for Enfield from 7 p.m. Monday to 1 a.m. Wednesday.

The NWS is calling the approaching storm a “crippling and potentially historic blizzard,” and is advising against traveling from late Monday through Tuesday.

At least 20 to 30 inches of snow is expected, according to the NWS.

The full forecast is below. Sign up for Enfield Patch news alerts to stay on top of the latest weather developments and more, by clicking here.

Hazard types: heavy snow with considerable drifting snow with blizzard conditions.

Snow accumulation: 20 to 30 inches...with locally higher amounts possible. Snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour expected late Monday night into Tuesday morning.

Winds: north-northeast at 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 35 to 45 mph.

Visibility: one-quarter mile or less at times.

Timing: while the storm is expected late Monday lingering into early Wednesday, the worst of the storm will be Monday night through Tuesday afternoon.

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.

Precautionary/preparedness actions:

A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds. Poor visibility will lead to whiteout conditions making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle.

All unnecessary travel is discouraged beginning late Monday to allow people already on the road to safely reach their destinations before the heavy snow begins and to allow snow removal equipment to begin to clear roads.

• Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 13. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph.
  
• Monday:
 Snow likely, mainly after 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 26. Light north wind becoming northeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
• Monday Night:
 Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 19. Blustery, with a north wind 14 to 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 9 to 13 inches possible.
• Tuesday:
 Snow with areas of blowing snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 21. Blustery, with a north wind 22 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 13 to 19 inches possible.
  
• Tuesday Night:
 Snow likely before 1am, then a chance of snow after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 13. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
• Wednesday:
 A slight chance of snow before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 24. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
  
• Wednesday Night:
 Mostly clear, with a low around 12.
  

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Photo credit: flickr.com.