Winter Storm Watch Issued For Most Of Connecticut: UPDATE

CONNECTICUT — In a 4 p.m. Friday update, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for most of Connecticut except for the immediate I-95 corridor, inland sections of New London County and Windham County.

For inland sections of Fairfield, New Haven, and Middlesex counties, the weather service is predicting 5 to 8 inches of snow, and some areas could see between 8 and 12 inches of snow. The winter storm watch begins Sunday morning and continues through Tuesday morning.

"Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact holiday travel and the morning and evening commutes on Monday. ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Precipitation will start as all snow on Sunday. Many areas except well inland are expected to change to rain Sunday night. However, a change back to a wintry mix is expected by Monday morning, and all snow by Monday afternoon."

For the I-95 corridor and inland sections of New London County, a Hazardous Weather Outlook remains in effect with rain and snow beginning Sunday late morning and changing to rain after 3 p.m. A total of 1 to 3 inches of snow is expected here. This area can expect rain on Sunday night and then the precipitation chances to all snow again Monday morning and another inch of snow is expected.

For Hartford and Tolland counties, the weather service says the winter storm watch begins midday Sunday through Monday evening.

"Heavy snow possible. Snow may mix with sleet and freezing rain at times. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 10 inches and ice accumulations of up to two tenths of an inch possible.

"Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact Sunday travel, as well as the Monday morning or evening commute."

For Windham County, the weather service says, "A coastal storm will bring potential for accumulating snowfall accompanied by a wintry mix of precipitation during Sunday through early Tuesday."

And for Litchfield County, the weather service has issued a winter storm watch from Sunday morning until 7 p.m. Monday. "Heavy mixed precipitation possible including snow, sleet and freezing rain. Total snow and sleet accumulations potentially of 9 inches or more and around one tenth of an inch possible.

Original post:

CONNECTICUT — It looks as if everyone in Connecticut will experience their first real snowstorm of the season Sunday. There was uncertainty for the past couple of days over whether the storm would track warm or cold, but now there is growing confidence that everyone will see some accumulating snow by Monday afternoon.

In fact, inland and northern sections of the state could easily see 6 inches or more of snow, while areas along the I-95 corridor will see more of a mix of snow, sleet and rain, which will hold down accumulations there, forecasters day.

WTNH News 8 Chief Meteorologist Gil Simmons lays out what we can expect as of right now for Sunday's snow event. On social media, Simmons says he expects the first flakes to fall after 9 a.m. Sunday and to be everywhere in Connecticut by 1 p.m.

Everyone will begin with snow, and then there will be a mix or just plain rain in parts of the state during the evening before the expected change back to snow Monday, Simmons writes.

In his initial accumulation estimates, Simmons expects the least amount of snow on the coast, 4-8 inches in interior southern Connecticut and possibly up to a foot or more in northern Connecticut. However, because the storm is 48 hours away, things can definitely change between now and Sunday.

National Weather Service's latest thinking on Sunday's snow:

The 1-95 coast from Fairfield to New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties, and inland sections of Middlesex and New London counties:

"A slow-moving low pressure system may bring a light snow accumulation to portions of the region Sunday morning into Sunday afternoon. Precipitation is likely to change to all rain Sunday evening into Monday morning, before potentially changing back to snow Monday afternoon into Monday night. This may result in messy travel conditions for the Sunday afternoon/evening and Monday afternoon/evening time frame."

Northern Fairfield-Northern New Haven:

"Confidence is increasing in a slow-moving low pressure system bringing snow and wintry mix to the region Sunday through Monday night. There is potential for several inches of snowfall during this time period, along with a wintry mix at times, causing significant travel impacts to the Sunday afternoon/evening through Monday night time frame."

Litchfield County:

"Confidence is growing that a long-lasting storm system will bring accumulating snow to eastern NY and western New England during the day on Sunday. Snow may become a wintry mix for areas south of Interstate 90 Sunday night before transitioning back to snow on Monday. Although the exact snowfall amounts are still uncertain, travel impacts due to snow covered roads and reduced visibility are likely Sunday afternoon into Monday."

Hartford County:

Sunday: Snow, mainly after noon. High near 35. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible.

Sunday night: Rain and snow, becoming all rain after midnight. Low around 31. Northeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible.

Monday: Rain and snow. High near 34. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

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Tolland County:

Sunday: Snow, mainly after noon. High near 34. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches is possible.

Sunday night: Rain, possibly mixed with snow, becoming all rain after 1am. Low around 29. Northeast wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible.

Monday: Snow, possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after noon. High near 33. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Monday night: A chance of snow before 3 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 25. North wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Windham County:

Sunday: Snow, possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after 4 p.m. High near 36. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of less than an inch is possible.

Sunday night: Rain, possibly mixed with snow, becoming all rain after 1 a.m. Low around 31. Northeast wind 9 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible.

Monday: Rain, possibly mixed with snow before 4 p.m, then a chance of snow. High near 35. North wind 11 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Monday night: A chance of snow before 4 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 27. North wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.