WEATHER ALERT: Near Blizzard Conditions Forecast for Mansfield and Storrs

This time it appears you really do want to go out and buy the bread, milk and eggs, as a Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Mansfield and Storrs from Monday afternoon through Tuesday evening.

After a pedestrian winter up until yesterday, which saw a decent snowfall across the state of 4-8 inches, Mother Nature seems to be making up for lost time.

The National Weather Service is predicting 12-14 inches of snow could fall before Tuesday afternoon, and there is a good bet for power outages as winds will be gusting between 10-20 miles per hour and up to 45 miles per hour at times.

The National Weather Service writes this about the potential storm “impacts … heavy snow and strong winds will result in considerable blowing and drifting snow. Travel may become difficult if not impossible and near blizzard conditions possible.”

NBC Connecticut Meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan writes on his personal blog, “This storm is shaping up to be a beauty. A classic New England snowstorm that will produce gusty winds, heavy snow, and possibly more than a foot of accumulation.”

“The worst of the storm will likely be Monday night and Tuesday morning. Our computer models show the potential for wind gusts over 60 mph in southeastern Connecticut during the height of the storm,” Hanrahan writes. “This one will be big…”

As of right now this is the specific Mansfield and Storrs forecast for the potential blizard via the National Weather Service:

Monday, Snow likely, mainly after 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 24. Light north wind becoming northeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Monday Night Snow likely before 9pm, then snow with areas of blowing snow after 9pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 18. Blustery, with a northeast wind 13 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches possible.

Tuesday Snow with areas of blowing snow before 4pm, then snow likely after 4pm. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 23. Blustery, with a north wind 20 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Tuesday Night Snow likely, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

More related stories:

• Blizzard Heading Connecticut’s Way [UPDATE]
• UPDATE: WEATHER ALERT: Connecticut Slammed By Snow, More Snow Expected; One Fatality Reported
• Connecticut Snowfall Totals
• Snow Photos from Around Connecticut