'Crippling and Potentially Historic Blizzard' Takes Aim at Stamford

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning that will go into effect for Stamford from 1 p.m. Monday to midnight Tuesday night.

The NWS is calling the approaching storm a “crippling and potentially historic blizzard,” and is advising against traveling from Monday afternoon through Tuesday.

And the NWS also issued a coastal flood watch for moderate coastal flooding during Monday night into Tuesday morning’s high tide. There will be high surf and significant beach erosion is expected. Tides are expected to be 3 to 4 feet above the astronomical high tides with two- to four-foot waves.

The full forecast is below. Sign up for Stamford Patch news alerts to stay on top of the latest weather developments and more, by clicking here.

Hazard types: heavy snow and blowing snow with blizzard conditions.

Snow accumulation: 20 to 30 inches...with locally higher amounts possible. Snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour expected late Monday night into Tuesday morning.

Winds: north 30 to 40 mph with gusts 55 to 65 mph.

Visibility: one-quarter mile or less at times.

Temperatures: in the lower 20s.

Timing: light snow will begin Monday morning with accumulations of 1 to 3 inches possible by the evening rush. Snow will pick up in intensity Monday evening...with the heaviest snow and strongest winds from about midnight Monday night into Tuesday afternoon.

Impacts: life-threatening conditions and extremely dangerous travel due to heavy snowfall and strong winds with whiteout conditions. Secondary and tertiary roads may become impassable. Strong winds may down power lines and tree limbs.

Precautionary/preparedness actions:

A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds. Poor visibility will lead to whiteout conditions making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle.

All unnecessary travel is discouraged beginning Monday afternoon to allow people already on the road to safely reach their destinations before the heavy snow begins and to allow snow removal equipment to begin to clear roads.

• Tonight: A slight chance of snow after 4am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 21. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. North wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Monday:
 A chance of snow before 1pm, then snow likely with widespread blowing snow between 1pm and 4pm, then snow with widespread blowing snow after 4pm. High near 25. Wind chill values between 5 and 10. Blustery, with a northeast wind 11 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
• Monday Night:
 Snow with widespread blowing snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 20. Wind chill values between zero and 10. Windy, with a north wind 22 to 27 mph increasing to 32 to 37 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 49 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 10 to 16 inches possible.
• Tuesday:
 Snow with widespread blowing snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. High near 22. Wind chill values between zero and 5. Windy, with a north wind 34 to 38 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 10 to 16 inches possible.
• Tuesday Night:
 Snow with widespread blowing snow before 10pm, then snow likely with widespread blowing snow between 10pm and 1am, then widespread blowing snow and a chance of snow after 1am. Low around 14. Windy, with a northwest wind 29 to 34 mph decreasing to 20 to 25 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 46 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
• Wednesday:
 Mostly sunny, with a high near 27.
• Wednesday Night:
 Partly cloudy, with a low around 13.

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