Mansfield, Storrs Blizzard 2015 Storm Coverage: What You Need to Know About this Potentially Historic Snowstorm

This page on Mansfield-Storrs Patch will be continually updated to keep you up to date with everything we can find about the Monday-Tuesday storm in connection with Mansfield and Storrs. If it isn’t reported on fully here, you’ll find a link here to more information elsewhere. If you have news about closings (even for an individual business) or other information about the storm that people in Mansfield and Storrs should know about, email us at barbara.heins@patch.com.

The Blizzard of 2015 is starting out like a lamb with light snow that is falling in the Mansfield and Storrs area and prompted early dismissal of schools on Monday.

But don’t be fooled. By this evening, the storm is expected to begin roaring like a lion, according to the latest National Weather Service forecast. There is a silver lining in these storm clouds, the weather service has downgraded the snowfalls expected by the storm that will continue tonight into Tuesday evening. (The updated forecast is below.)

The Town of Mansfield is urging residents to shelter-in-place — in other words: stay home — during the storm and to prepare themselves to be self-sufficient for 24 to 48 hours after the storm.

Parking: As a reminder, there is a ban on overnight parking on all town roads in effect from Nov. 1 until April 15. During a winter storm, this ban is in effect for all hours of the day.

Shelter: If a shelter or respite center becomes necessary, the Town will open the facility AFTER the storm is over and when travel is appropriate. Information about the shelter or respite center will be publicized on www.MansfieldCT.gov and distributed to area media.

• Today: Snow. High near 25. Northeast wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
• Tonight: Snow with areas of blowing snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 20. Blustery, with a northeast wind 13 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 10 to 14 inches possible.
• Tuesday: Snow with areas of blowing snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 21. Blustery, with a north wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 10 to 14 inches possible.
• Tuesday Night: Snow, mainly before 2am. Low around 11. Wind chill values as low as zero. North wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
• Wednesday: A slight chance of snow showers between 7am and 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 24. Northwest wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 7.
• Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 28.
• Thursday Night: A chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 21. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Friday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Friday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

If you went to work

Again the news isn’t bad for this evening’s commute. In most instances maybe an inch of snow will accumulate by 5 p.m. If you need to do any last minute preparation, please get them done by late afternoon.

• Here are the details of the travel ban imposed by Gov. Dannel Malloy has issued a travel ban.
• And if you lose power during this storm click here for information.
• Here are some great safety tips from the American Red Cross.
• Mansfield Schools Announce Class Dismissal Plans

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Have a news tip or storm photos? Email barbara.heins@patch.com.