As Oxford Digs out from a Major Snowstorm There is Good News

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, 1 P.M.: How high can they go! Yesterday, we were looking at maybe a few inches of snow, emphasis on maybe, and those totals have been increased significantly, and now they’ve just exploded again.

The National Weather Service says we can now expect between 10-14 inches of snow in northern Fairfield and northern New Haven counties.

The Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 7 a.m. Sunday.

* HAZARD TYPES...HEAVY SNOW AND NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS.

* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 10 TO 14 INCHES.

* WINDS...NORTH 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE MID 20S.

* TIMING...THROUGH TONIGHT.

* IMPACTS...HAZARDOUS TRAVEL DUE TO REDUCED VISIBILITIES AND SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS. BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW WITH NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED DUE TO STRONG WINDS.

UPDATE: 12:30 A.M. The National Weather Service has now issued a Winter Storm Warning for northern Fairfield and northern New Haven counties. It’s in effect from 2 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday.

An advisory had previously been issued for the area.

According to the weather service we can expect:

* HAZARD TYPES...HEAVY SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 6 TO 12 INCHES.

* WINDS...NORTHEAST 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH.

* VISIBILITIES...ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES.

* TEMPERATURES...TEENS AND 20S.

* TIMING...LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT.

* IMPACTS...HAZARDOUS TRAVEL DUE TO REDUCED VISIBILITIES AND SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD... AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

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:

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

Latest cancellations

None currently

Important Links

• Oxford Patch: News Alerts, Facebook

Important Phone Numbers

• Emergency: 911
• Oxford Fire Department (203) 888-9090
• Troop A State Police 90 Lakeside Rd Southbury, CT (203) 267-2200

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.