Hazardous Weather Outlook Issued for Mansfield and Storrs

It’s only fitting after the winter we’ve had that snow is in the forecast for the first day of spring.

The National Weather Service has issued a “Winter Weather Advisory” for Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties from 6 a.m., Friday to 2 a.m., Saturday.

A “Hazardous Weather Outlook” also has been issued for Hartford and Tolland counties.

A total of 2 to 4 inches of snow is forecast for the advisory counties, while 2 to 3 inches is forecast for Hartford and Tolland counties. Higher amounts are possible in certain areas.

Timing
The National Weather Service predicts snow will begin falling as soon as the morning commute in parts of the state, and continue through Friday’s commute home from work for the areas when an advisory has been posted.

For Hartford and Tolland counties snow will start later and isn’t expected to pick up in intensity until late afternoon and evening on Friday.

WTNH News 8 Meteorologist Gil Simmons writes snow should begin around noon and blanket the entire state by 3 p.m. He predicts communities closest to the shoreline, especially those communities closer to the New York line in Fairfield County will receive the most snow, possibly 5 inches or more.

Simmons predicts the heaviest snow falls between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday. He also writes it’s possible some schools will have an early dismissal on Friday.

The National Weather Service writes hazardous travel conditions are possible due to reduced visibility and snow covered roads.

NBC Connecticut Meteorologist Darren Sweeney writes:

“The first hours of spring will feature.. Snow. ( it hurts to even type this)

“Friday: it looks like snow begins during the afternoon and could become moderate to even heavy for a time during the evening. Tough to accumulate during the daytime this time of year but we have a shot at it, especially since the heaviest comes around the time the sun sets.

“Cruel for the first day of spring? YES!

“IT SHOULD BE WORTH REMINDING ... this time of year any slight shifts and any subtle changes can mean big big changes, often times leading to busted forecasts. This is not a lock by any stretch. Snow wraps Friday night, near 40° over the weekend.”

Here’s the Mansfield-Storrs-specific forecast from the National Weather Service (as of the 2:52 p.m. update):

• Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 11. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
• Friday: Snow likely, mainly after 2pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 32. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
  
• Friday night: Snow likely, mainly before 9pm. Cloudy, with a low around 19. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
  
• Saturday: A slight chance of rain and snow before 1pm, then a slight chance of rain between 1pm and 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
  
• Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.
  
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34.
• Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 14.
• Monday: Sunny, with a high near 34.

To sign up for breaking Mansfield and Storrs news alerts and more, click here.

Other Patch stories:

• Check Out What’s New at the Mansfield Library
• Winter Vole Damage to Trees and Plants
• Storrs Named Best Town For Basketball Fans

Photo credit: cogdogblog via Flickr.com.