Guilford Blizzard 2016 Recap

See related story: Blizzard 2016: Snowfall Totals in Connecticut (So Far)

UPDATE: Of course we went from largely no snow this winter season to a blizzard all at once.

And let’s be honest, no one saw this coming. Yes a snowstorm had been forecast for this weekend, possibly, for several days now, but no one was forecasting a blizzard or a near blizzard.

As we wake up Sunday morning, the Blizzard/Winter Storm warnings end and we’re hopefully using the snowblower and not shoveling this stuff.

Depending on where you are in Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties you’re looking at about a foot of snow on the low end, and possibly 2 feet of snow.

Unlike last winter, when we got hit with a blizzard another snowstorm was on it’s way two days later, we’re facing a much better situation.

Sunday will dry, which is a good thing and temps will be around the freezing mark and clouds will turn to sunny skies.

But after Sunday we’ll see a slow warm-up as temps will be above freezing through Saturday, and most importantly no snow chances through Saturday.

We may even hit the mid 40s on Tuesday!

UPDATE, 5 P.M.

The National Weather Service has just issued a “Special Weather Statement” for all of Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties.

The Blizzard Warning remains in effect for southern Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties for between 1-2 feet of snow. The two feet areas will be west of Bridgeport, the National Weather Service writes.

Northern Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties continue to operate under a Winter Storm Warning for between 10-14 inches of snow.

Here is the latest Special Weather Statement issued by the National Weather Service late Saturday afternoon:

Heavy snow is moving into southern Connecticut now and snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour are expected.

Some snowfall rates of up to 3 inches per hour are possible in isolated incidents. The heaviest snow for southern Connecticut is expected between 5-7 p.m. with blizzard conditions continuing at the immediate coast, and near blizzard conditions a bit inland.

UPDATE, 1:45 P.M.

Guilford police say they have had a number of residents calling and asking the conditions of the roadways in Guilford.

Here is their update:

They are snow covered, slippery, and as the storm intensifies, there will be potential for some large snow drifts.

DPW and DOT are working hard to clear the roads but as the storm strengthens this afternoon with heavy winds, travel will become even more difficult. We hope that everyone will be able to stay home today and enjoy the snow from the inside with your copious amounts of bread and milk. wink emoticon However, if you have to venture out, be very cautious as the roads are extremely slippery.

Eversource has alerted that power outages are a potential due to the expected high winds. Make sure those with wells fill a bathtub and make sure your electronics are all charged. If you lose power, make sure to check on your elderly neighbors or any neighbors with disabilities. If you can not reach them, please call the police and we will check their welfare.

During snow storms, emergency personnel respond to a larger number of heart related emergencies. If you have elderly neighbors or neighbors with disabilities that might need assistance, please extend a helping hand with shoveling.

It’s New England... Snow Happens. Let’s work together and we will all be fine!

Thanks and Stay Safe

UPDATE: 12:30 P.M. The ever changing forecast is of course changing again.

Yes, a Blizzard Warning is still in effect until 7 a.m. Sunday but the projected snow totals are exploding.

In a late morning update, the National Weather Service says communities on the immediate coastline, including southern Fairfield, southern New Haven, southern Middlesex and southern New London counties, will all see a minimum of 12 inches of snow.

The jackpot goes to communities west of Bridgeport which will now see 18-24 inches of snow, and for the rest of us, our consolation prize is 12-18 inches of snow.

Here are some other key notes from the NWS:

* HAZARD TYPES...WIDESPREAD BLIZZARD CONDITIONS...WITH HEAVY SNOW AND POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WINDS CAUSING CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW AND NEAR ZERO VISIBILITIES.

* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 18 TO 24 INCHES WEST OF BRIDGEPORT...AND 12 TO 18 INCHES EAST.

* WINDS...NORTH 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH.

* VISIBILITIES...ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE MID 20S.

* TIMING...THROUGH TONIGHT.

* IMPACTS...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TRAVEL DUE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL AND STRONG WINDS WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS LIKELY. SECONDARY AND TERTIARY ROADS MAY BECOME IMPASSABLE. STRONG WINDS MAY DOWN POWER LINES AND TREE LIMBS.

UPDATE: 8:30 A.M. Well that escalated quickly last night. What a strange week. Since last Sunday there has been talk of a major Nor’Easter that may impact Connecticut late Friday and into Saturday.

As you know the forecast has changed more than a dozen times between then and now.

Even in the past 48 hours the forecasts have changed dramatically. At one time it appeared we may get just a few inches of snow but then it was upgraded Friday afternoon to six inches and just before midnight the storm was upgraded to what it is now, a Blizzard Warning, which is now in effect as we face more than a foot of snow possibly.

The Blizzard Warning remains in effect until 7 a.m. Sunday for all communities along the Connecticut coastline or I-95 corridor including southern Fairfield, southern New Haven, southern Middlesex, and southern New London counties.

Heavy snow is forecast and “potentially damaging winds,” blowing and drifting snow with near zero visibilities. expected Saturday and Saturday evening.

Snow will accumulate anywhere between 8-12 inches and higher amounts are possible.

Winds will be sustained at 20 to 30 mph with gusts of up to 50 mph and the temps will be in the mid to upper 20s.

Conditions deteriorate as the day moves along.

Travel may be extremely dangerous because of the likelihood of “whiteout conditions” and power outages may be a concern. The National Weather Service urges against traveling unless you have to.

WTNH News 8’s Meteorologist Gil Simmons wrote, “Snow will be picking up steadily through the morning. Heavy snow midday through the afternoon with strong winds and low visibility. I would not advise traveling for the afternoon it will be very difficult to see.”

Snow flurries have now entered the state as of 7 a.m. and Simmons said the snow will really pick up by 11 a.m. and traveling after that time will be difficult.

UPDATE: 12:30 A.M. Blizzard Warning Now Issued for Guilford: UPDATE

We’ll update this guide in real time as we receive news and information.

Residents are strongly encouraged to clear the fire hydrants near their homes if it gets covered by snow during a storm in case of an emergency.

Important Links:

• Guilford’s Hour-By-Hour Nor’Easter Snowstorm Forecast
• ‘Near Blizzard’ Conditions Now Forecast for Guilford

Guilford Parking Ban information:

There is an “Overnight Parking Ban” which is in effect from December 1st through April 1st. There is no on-street parking between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. or whenever snow removal operations are in progress.

Vehicles in violation may be tagged and towed. This ordinance was enacted to facilitate snow removal from our town roads. Vehicles that are parked on the street hinder snow removalanddelayroadopenings. Additionallythepolicedepartmentmusttagandtwo these vehicles which takes away from our time to handle the other calls that occur during snow events.

Please park your vehicles off-street during the winter months.

The Fire Department also requests that if you have a fire hydrant in front of your property, you keep it free and clear of snow in case of emergencies.

For additional information please contact the Police Department at their routine number (203) 453-8061. Thank you for your cooperation.

Guilford’s snow removal ordinance details:

According to Town Code §241-6, “the property owners of Guilford shall...keep free from snow and ice any sidewalk adjoining their property and abutting on the highway.” Failure to do so may result in fines. (Town Code Section §241-7). The sidewalks must be cleared 24 hours after the end of the storm. The police department issues warnings advising property owners when sidewalks are not cleared or sufficiently passable. The standard we use to determine whether a sidewalk is sufficiently passable is a wheelchair standard.

Is the sidewalk cleared and wide enough for a wheelchair to pass?

Violators can be fined not more than $100 for each day that the sidewalk is not cleared.

24 hours after a snow storm is over, property owners must have their sidewalks cleared.

The Fire Department also requests that if you have a fire hydrant in front of your property, you keep it free and clear of snow in case of emergencies.

Snow Removal Notice for Homeowners and Businesses

Please advise your private snow removal contractors that they are prohibited from dumping snow into the street during their snow removal process.

Latest cancellations

None currently

Important Links

• Guilford Patch: News Alerts, Facebook

Important Phone Numbers

• Emergency: 911
• Guilford Fire Department 203) 453-8000
• Guilford Police Department 203-453-8243

If You Lose Power

With a potentially historic blizzard bearing down on the mid-Atlantic, Connecticut is bracing for snow and high winds as the storm moves toward our region this weekend. Although the brunt of “Jonas” is expected to stay south of New England, Eversource is closely monitoring its path and will have crews and staff ready to respond to any damage or outages it may cause.

“We prepare year-round for storms like this and are ready to address any damage to the electric system,” said Peter Clarke, Senior Vice President of Emergency Preparedness for Eversource. “While we may not be able to control the weather in New England, we know that our ongoing system improvements are helping us to better handle whatever Mother Nature throws at us.”

High winds can bring down power lines, so the company reminds people to always stay away from any downed lines they may see and to report them immediately to 9-1-1. To report a power outage, call Eversource at 1-800-286-2000 or use the “Report an Outage” link at www.eversource.com.

Additional preparedness tips can be found at https://www.eversource.com/Content/ct-c/residential/outages/storm-preparedness.

Eversource customers can report power outages by calling 1-800-286-2000 or by visiting the mobile website eversource.com.

The Connecticut American Red Cross, one of Eversource’s partners in emergency preparedness, also provides helpful information and resources at www.ctredcross.org. For information on statewide programs, please visit Connecticut’s Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security at www.ct.gov/demhs.