Madison 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, 3:30 P.M.

Shared by Madison 911 Emergency Communication Center:

The forecast for wind and flooding has remained unchanged, but the snow accumulation amounts have increased. We should see up to 14” with a chance we might reach up to 20” on the immediate shoreline. Again, here are some important phone numbers in case you need them:

Police (routine): 203-245-2721
Inquiries about plowing/sanding (Highway Dept): 203-245-5684
Report Power OUTAGE (Eversource): 800-286-2000
Report Pole or Wires Down: 9-1-1

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: 11:30 A.M. All Town of Madison buildings will be closed on Saturday, January 23, 2016 due to the impending snow storm. Basketball league, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade Clinics and Fitness Room hours at the Town Campus Gym are all cancelled. Shoreline Futsal Soccer at Town Campus Gym and Local Owls Program at Bauer Park are still scheduled for Sunday.

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 Madison: UPDATE

An important message from Madison First Selectman Thomas Banisch via the town’s website:

Minor to moderate coastal flooding will occur along the coastline Saturday night and Sunday.

Town crews are ready to respond to whatever we end up with.

If we do get the larger amount of snow Saturday afternoon, I would ask that people stay off the roads and let the plows do their job.

As always, there is no overnight parking on any street in Madison.

In an emergency, call 9-1-1. If you need help and it is not an emergency, you can call the Madison Police at 203-245-2721 or a neighbor or friend.

Thank you and stay warm!

Tom Banisch

First Selectman

Town of Madison, Connecticut

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:

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

Latest cancellations

None currently

Important Links

• Madison Patch: News Alerts, Facebook

Important Phone Numbers

• Emergency: 911
• Madison Fire Department (203) 245-2772
• Madison Police Department (203) 245-2721

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.