Connecticut Weather: Blizzard Continues, Record Cold Possible

A powerful winter storm is dumping heavy snow on Connecticut and winds are gusting in excess of 50 mph at times. The snow was falling at rates of up to four inches per hour in parts of the state. The entire state is expected to receive up to 1 foot of snow. A Blizzard Warning is in effect for New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for everywhere else.

Outages were reduced to around 1,100 customers in Eversource and United Illuminating territory by 5 p.m. Gov. Dannel Malloy said that the state has seen between eight and 16 inches of snow. Heavy snowfall should end between 5 and 7 p.m.

Connecticut has been spared the worst of the storm. Some parts of Massachusetts are seeing hurricane-force winds. High wind gusts will prevent utility crews from going up in bucket trucks to repair lines, Malloy said.

Metro-North will operate on a normal schedule for Connecticut Friday morning.

State Police assisted 330 motorists as of 4 p.m. Thursday and responded to 66 accidents, three of which had minor injuries.

Road conditions remain hazardous as plows work to clear streets. Temperatures will once again drop down into the teens and there is the possibility for record-breaking cold in the coming days, Malloy said.

About 75 percent of Connecticut flights were cancelled Thursday.

The governor cautioned motorists who have to be on the roads to give snow plows a wide berth. Two plows have already been damaged in previous storms due to motorists improperly passing. Malloy also noted the path behind a snow plow is much easier to travel than the one in front of it. (Follow Patch's Snow and Power Outage Coverage With Our Free Real-Time News Alerts.)

Connecticut's bitter cold is expected to continue and a loss of power could result in frozen or bursting pipes.

The National Weather Service increased snow accumulation estimates and is now predicting a staggering 12 to 18 inches of snow for New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties.

Fairfield County is looking at 8-12 inches, Litchfield County is looking at another seven inches of snow, the weather service said. Hartford and Tolland counties could see up to 15 inches of snow.

See also: Connecticut Snowfall Totals Town-By-Town, 1/4/18

Here are some key morning observations from Connecticut's top meteorologists and the National Weather Service, which we'll continue to update throughout the day. Please check back for more real-time observations:

4 p.m. Eversource is reporting 1,200 power outages including 172 in Bethel, 113 in Ledyard and 150 in Litchfield.

3 p.m. Eversource is reporting 629 power outages in CT. A total of 163 are in Greenwich.

National Weather Service says for Fairfield, New Haven, New London, and Middlesex counties: ...INCREASING SNOWFALL RATES...

At 2:00 PM EST, a band of heavy snow will slowly move to the east across Long Island and southwest Connecticut. Snowfall rates of 1-3 inches per hour will occur at times with this band.

Winds in excess of 50 mph are possible within this band, causing some downed tree and possibly wires as well. Visibilities may drop to near zero at times, producing whiteout conditions.

2:30 p.m. I-95 DARIEN - I-95 Southbound CLOSED between Exits 10 and 9 because of Tractor Trailer Accident (Jackknifed). Reported Thursday, January 4 at 2:08 pm.

I-95: GREENWICH - Tractor Trailer Accident (Jackknifed) on I-95 Northbound between Exits 2 and 3. The right and center lanes are closed. Reported Thursday, January 4 at 2:40 pm.

2 p.m. FOX 61 Weather‏ said, "1:55 RADAR UPDATE: Heavy snowband continues to slam Litchfield and Fairfield with heavy pockets of snow across New Haven and Middlesex County. About halfway through this blizzard in terms of snow duration. Storm center is starting to track northeast.

2 p.m. Gov. Malloy will hold a press conference at 5 p.m. concerning the blizzard. Patch will have live updates. DMV Road Tests Canceled Until 12 p.m. for Tomorrow (Friday), January 5; Road Tests Will Resume at 12 p.m. on Friday

12 p.m. Connecticut State Police are reporting 437 calls for service, 34 accidents with no injuries and two accidents with injuries. No fatalities have been reported.

11:30 a.m.: The National Weather Service has drastically increased snow accumulation estimates for New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties.

WHAT...Blizzard conditions occurring. Travel will be very dangerous to impossible. Damage to trees and power lines is possible. Storm total accumulations of 12-18 inches are expected.

*ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 55 mph will cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow. Significant drifting of the snow is likely.

11:15 a.m. CT snow totals updated: Connecticut Snowfall Totals Town-By-Town, 1/4/18

11 a.m. Oh My!

10:45 a.m: More snow totals via NBC CT

10:30 a.m.: Snow totals via Kevin Arnone of WTNH News 8.

10:15 a.m. National Weather Service issues a Special Weather Statement for New Haven, Middlsex, and New London counties: "At 926 AM EST, an area of heavy snow continues to move across Southern Connecticut and Long Island. Movement was northwest at near 50 mph. Snowfall rates will range between 1 and 3 inches per hour at times.

Frequent gusts of 40 to 45 mph are expected with occasional gusts up to 55 mph with this area of heavy snow. This will cause some downed tree limbs and possibly wires as well. Visibilities are less than a quarter of a mile in this area of heavy snow. In addition, occasional lightning is expected within the heavy snow.

10 a.m. update: NBC Connecticut Meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan‏ said on social media that "Blizzard conditions occurring in Bridgeport, Meriden, and New London (using 35 mph gusts and 1/4 mile visibility)."

9:30 a.m. update: Thundersnow has been reported in New London County around 9 a.m. Hanrahan said at 9:15 a.m., "Thundersnow coming into New Haven right now. Big big band scooting in from the Sound right now. Tons of lightning offshore and over Long Island."

9 a.m.: WTNH News 8 Meteorologist Kevin Arnone said, "With the snow comes strong winds. These winds making it feel very COLD out there. Single digits across much of the state." Winds were reported in excess of 40 mph in New Haven, Arnone said. Arnone said as of 9:30 a.m. "Blinding snow moving into the #Connecticut shoreline right now from #Milford to #EastLyme."

8 a.m: "Storm is on track this morning and we are expecting 8-12” of snow statewide. We do think a band will set up with locally higher amounts as well up to 14” or so! This is one representation of that band on our high res computer modeling. There could be a local minimum over New London County (what a shock) as the heaviest snow pivots northwest," Hanarahan said.

NBC Connecticut Meteorologist Bob Maxon‏ is predicting 8 to 12 inches across all of Connecticut.

Fox 61 Meteorologist Dan Amarante‏ is predicting 4 to 7 inches for the far western section of the state and 7 to 12 inches for most of Connecticut.

"Been mentioning all morning the chance for some higher amounts into western CT, so we moved the dark blue contour westward a bit. The idea of this storm remains the same. Snowy and windy until this evening, then COLD!"

WTNH News 8 Meteorologist Gil Simmons said, "Here's your snowier First Facebook Forecast for Thursday! Amounts are up and the wind will be getting gusty midday-afternoon. It looks like 8" to 14" for most areas today with very low visibility as the wind picks up."

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