Winter Storm Targets Enfield: Latest Forecast, Cancellations, How To Prepare

ENFIELD, CT — Town officials say Enfield crews are fully prepared for a major winter storm expected to bring heavy snow and dangerous travel beginning Sunday, with round-the-clock plowing planned and a multi-day parking ban set to take effect.

According to an email from Paul Kelly, Highway Division Crew Leader for the Town of Enfield, the Department of Public Works has completed storm preparations and will operate continuously as conditions warrant.

Preparedness And Enfield Storm Operations

DPW officials said the town currently has approximately 1,200 tons of salt on hand, with additional deliveries scheduled when material becomes available. During peak operations, Enfield will have 35 DPW plow trucks on the road, supported by six contractor trucks. Staffing for the event includes 35 drivers and three equipment operators working throughout the duration of the storm.

A parking ban will be in effect from 6 p.m. Saturday, January 24, through 6 p.m. Monday, January 26. Officials said vehicles parked on town roads during that period can significantly slow plowing operations and interfere with emergency access.

Public works officials also announced that trash and recycling pickup scheduled for Monday, Jan. 26, is canceled, and all collections for the week will run on a one-day delay.

Residents should expect primary roads to be plowed before secondary roads. Officials said it is common for residents whose streets are adjacent to major roads to assume their street should be plowed at the same time. Prioritizing primary roads allows emergency vehicles access to difficult areas, particularly streets with steep grades or higher traffic volumes.

Guidance For Enfield Residents

Town officials said staying off the roads until cleanup operations are complete is one of the most important ways residents can help. Giving plow crews room to work helps speed snow removal and improves safety.

Residents clearing sidewalks and driveways are asked not to cast snow into the roadway. Officials also recommend waiting until plowing operations have ended before clearing driveways, which can help avoid driveways being plowed back in. With advance notice of storms of this size, residents are urged to plan ahead and stay home if possible.

Hazardous conditions such as downed trees or impassable roads should be reported to the Enfield Police Dispatch Center at 860-763-6400. DPW crews are in direct contact with dispatch and can be deployed as needed. Officials asked residents not to call to complain about streets not yet plowed or general plowing issues. Non-emergency messages related to snow removal can be left on the town’s Snow Hotline at 860-763-7527, and additional concerns can be submitted through SeeClickFix.

National Weather Service Forecast

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for interior Connecticut from early Sunday through Monday afternoon. Forecasters say Enfield could see heavy, plowable snow, with snowfall rates potentially exceeding one inch per hour at times, especially Sunday night. Travel is expected to be difficult due to snow-covered roads and reduced visibility.

Local TV Forecast And Timing

Local television meteorologists are closely aligned on both the timing and potential impact of the storm.

Meteorologists at WFSB say snow is expected to begin late Sunday morning, worsen through the afternoon, and peak Sunday night into early Monday, with more than a foot of snow possible inland and rapidly deteriorating travel overnight.

At WTNH, forecasters say snow should develop around 8 a.m. Sunday and continue into Monday morning. WTNH is calling for roughly 12 to 15 inches of snow across interior Connecticut, with the heaviest snow expected Sunday afternoon and Sunday night.

Meteorologists at NBC Connecticut say snow will move into the state from the south around midday Sunday. Their forecast calls for widespread plowable snow, with total accumulations ranging from about 10 to 18 inches by the time the storm tapers off Monday. NBC Connecticut says the worst travel conditions are expected Sunday night.

At FOX61, forecasters say confidence continues to increase that inland Connecticut will see a foot or more of snow. FOX61 says snow will intensify Sunday afternoon and evening before gradually tapering off Monday, with dangerous travel likely during the height of the storm.

Town officials urged residents to follow the parking ban, avoid unnecessary travel, and give snow crews the space they need to safely and efficiently clear Enfield’s roads throughout the storm.