Bomb Cyclone Threatens Snow, Rain, High Winds This Weekend In CT

CONNECTICUT — What a winter it has been thus far, and now we're talking about a "bomb cyclone" of rain, snow and "damaging" winds for Connecticut on Saturday, forecasters warn.

Low pressure conditions whipped up by cold air will blow across the East Coast in what Weather Channel meteorologists have dubbed "Winter Storm Quinlan."

The storm's track will bring it to Connecticut by early Saturday. A more-conservative — for now — forecast by the National Weather Service calls for rain, snow and blustery conditions.

The storm could develop into what's essentially a weather bomb, according to a Weather Channel report. This weekend storm could undergo bombogenesis, the meteorological term for when a low-pressure system drops at least 24 millibars within 24 hours. Such a drop could bring sudden waves of high winds and snow, meteorologists warn.

WTNH News 8 chief meteorologist Gil Simmons said rain is expected to change to snow on Saturday across the state. He said to expect light rain early Saturday, and it should be heavy by 8-10 a.m. By 10 a.m. Litchfield County may see a mix from rain to snow, Simmons said.

And by 3 p.m. it should be all snow for Connecticut, Simmons said in a video update. Some areas could see a few inches of snow and the massive temperature drop could lead to freeze concerns Saturday night, Simmons wrote. (Watch Simmons' video here and read his latest forecast here).

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National Weather Service forecast details for southern Connecticut:

The weather service said by early Saturday morning the low pressure system will track through the region, and it will be a quick moving storm.

Temperatures will be mild enough that precipitation is to be mostly in the form of plain rain, at least through much of the event, the weather service said. Look for rain to become increasingly likely late Friday night into Saturday morning, and it will be at its heaviest in the morning and early afternoon hours.

Depending on the exact track of the storm, a changeover to snow is possible and it could lead to some snow accumulation, the weather service said. An inch or more of rain is forecast, and it could end with some snow, the weather service said, while adding strong winds will be a concern.

National Weather Service forecast details for northern Connecticut:

The weather service said the "powerful bomb cyclone" could bring heavy rain, "damaging winds" and snow to northern sections of the state. The strong wind gusts are forecast for late Saturday.

"In addition, rain likely ends as a period of snow from west to east late Sat/Sat evening, with some minor accumulations possible across the interior higher elevation....," the weather service said.

I-95 corridor forecast details concerning the potent weekend storm:

Friday Night: Rain likely, mainly after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. East wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday: Rain before 5pm, then a chance of rain and snow. High near 48. Breezy, with an east wind 6 to 11 mph becoming northwest 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before 7pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 20. Breezy, with a west wind around 23 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Inland sections of southern CT forecast details concerning the potent weekend storm:

Friday Night: Rain likely, mainly after 2am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 37. South wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday: Rain before 5pm, then a chance of rain and snow. High near 49. Breezy, with an east wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before 7pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 19. Blustery, with a west wind 17 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph.

Northern CT forecast details concerning the potent weekend storm:

Friday Night: A chance of snow between 1am and 3am, then rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. South wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday: Rain, mainly before 4pm. High near 46. East wind 7 to 17 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Saturday Night: A chance of snow, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. West wind 15 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.