Snowfall Predictions Adjusted for Weekend Nor'Easter

Less than 48 hours away from the forecasted snowtime and uncertainty is still high on how much, and if some places in Connecticut, especially in far northern portions of the state, will even see plowable snow.

Adding to the intrigue, is the fact that just to the south of Connecticut on Long Island a “Blizzard Watch” has been issued.

But meteorologists say 50 miles can make or break it on whether you’ll see major snow or just a few inches.

As of Thursday morning, this is the latest thinking on this weekend’s Nor’Easter:

The immediate Connecticut Shoreline from Greenwich to New London could see more than six inches of snow and gusty winds in excess of 50 mph. But once you move inland slightly, accumulation could be just a few inches, and northern Connecticut may be looking at an inch or two tops.

“If you’re not a fan of the snow I have some good news,” NBC Connecticut Meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan wrote on Facebook at 8 a.m.

On his blog, Hanrahan writes:

• Accumulating snow is still a good bet for many areas in Connecticut – though there is a rising chance for a total shut out (read: 0.0″) north of I-84.
• The heaviest snow will fall in southern Connecticut where 3″-6″ is the most likely scenario.
• Based on the overnight trends, it’s certainly possible that we will need to lower our snowfall forecast across the state if trends continue this afternoon.
• Minor to moderate coastal flooding is expected on Long Island Sound with astronomically high tide and a 1.5-3.0 foot storm surge.

WTNH News 8 predicts 4 to 8 inches of snow at the immediate shoreline and 3 to 6 inches for a bulk of the rest of Connecticut.

When will the snow begin?

Earlier this week, the snow was expected to fall after midnight on Friday, but now it’s being delayed. The heavier snow won’t start until Saturday afternoon or evening and taper off after midnight and end all together early Sunday.

Windsor’s latest National Weather Service weekend forecast:

• Saturday: A chance of snow, mainly after 7 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 28. Northeast wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Saturday Night: Snow likely, mainly before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 35.

Photo by Stephen Downes, via flickr creative commons