Connecticut Weather: Initial Snow Accumulation Estimates Made

Slowly but surely snow accumulation estimates are being made for Saturday night/Sunday morning's expected snowstorm. The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook in advance of this weekend's storm. While accumulation estimates are being made, top meteorologists in Connecticut stress that they really won't be able to get more precise until Friday morning.

For Southern Connecticut, the National Weather Service says, "A fast moving storm system will pass to the south and east of the area Saturday night into Sunday morning. An accumulating snow is likely, which may mix with rain at the coast. At this time, the potential for 6 or more inches is low.

For Northern Connecticut, the National Weather Service says, "Accumulating snow is likely Saturday night into very early Sunday morning and may eventually require the need for winter weather headlines. However...a lot of uncertainty remains regarding theamounts, and potential for some rain to mix in along the coastalplain. What ever happens...the bulk of the storm will occur Saturday night and be over by daybreak Sunday. The timing should limit the impact to travel...but there is a low risk for isolated power outages if higher amounts are realized and a swath of 6+ inches impacts the coastal plain."

Before we get to this weekend's snow, we will enjoy temps near 60 degrees today and some rain moves in tonight and for Friday. Friday will also remain 10 to 15 degrees above normal and then temps will drop suddenly Friday evening, which sets the stage for the snow chance this weekend.

The National Weather Service is predicting 2 to 4 inches of snow at the Connecticut coast, 3 to 5 inches in inland sections, and around 4 inches of snow in Northern Connecticut.

WTNH News 8 Meteorologist Gil Simmons is predicting "wet snow 8PM Saturday-8AM Sunday. 2-6 inches at this point." NBC Connecticut Meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan says there is a 50 percent chance of more than three inches of snow from this storm.

Fox 61 Meteorologist Rachel Frank‏ said late Wednesday that more data is needed to pick a precise snow accumulation estimates.

"Some snow Saturday night into early Sunday morning (mostly overnight). But is it just a few snow showers or plowable snow? A lot of pieces need to come together for this to happen. Timing and location need to be just right. Any snow we get would melt quickly, I can tell you that!," Frank said. "...(Thursday) night when all the players/weather features are on the board we can start to get specific. I know...I hate waiting too!"

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Here is the updated weather forecast for the Connecticut coast:

Today: Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 52. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 8 mph.

Tonight: Rain, mainly after 8pm. Patchy fog. Steady temperature around 47. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Rain likely, mainly before 11am. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 53. Southwest wind 5 to 14 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Northwest wind 10 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Snow. Low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Here is the updated weather forecast for inland sections of Southern Connecticut:

Today: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 54. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph.

Tonight: Rain, mainly after 8pm. Patchy fog before 2am, then patchy fog after 5am. Steady temperature around 47. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Rain likely, mainly before 11am. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 52. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 6 to 11 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 19. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Northwest wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Snow. Low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Here is the updated weather forecast for Northern Connecticut:

Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. South wind 3 to 7 mph.

Tonight: Showers, mainly after 8pm. Areas of fog after 10pm. Low around 43. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Showers likely, mainly before 11am. Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Light west wind becoming northwest 11 to 16 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21. Northwest wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Snow, mainly after 9pm. Low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 80%.