'Crippling and Potentially Historic Blizzard' Takes Aim at Suffield

The National Weather Service (NWS) has scrapped its winter storm watch and has issued a blizzard warning that will go into effect for Suffield from 7 p.m. Monday to 1 a.m. Wednesday.

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

At least 20 to 30 inches of snow is expected, according to the NWS.

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

Hazard types: heavy snow with considerable drifting 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-northeast at 15 to 25 mph with gusts around 35 mph.

Visibility: one-quarter mile or less at times.

Timing: while the storm is expected late Monday lingering into early Wednesday, the worst of the storm will be Monday night through 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 late Monday 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: Increasing clouds, with a low around 14. North wind 3 to 7 mph. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
  
• Monday:
 Snow likely, mainly after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 24. North wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
  
• Monday Night:
 Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 19. Blustery, with a north wind 14 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 9 to 13 inches possible.
  
• Tuesday:
 Snow with areas of blowing snow before 3pm, then snow likely after 3pm. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 21. Blustery, with a north wind 18 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 10 to 16 inches possible.
  
• Tuesday Night:
 Snow likely, mainly before 9pm. Cloudy, with a low around 13. Northwest wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
  
• Wednesday:
 Mostly sunny, with a high near 24.
  
• Wednesday Night:
 Mostly clear, with a low around 10.
  

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Photo credit: flickr.com.