Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2:15 p.m. — The Wilton YMCA will remain closed today.
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 12:30 p.m. — The Wilton YMCA has delayed its opening to 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 11 a.m. — State emergency officials have updated forecasts, as snow continues to blanket Wilton and the rest of the state, falling at 1-2 inches per hour. While snow is expected to taper off around 2 p.m., Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director Jim Blanchfield encourages residents to stay safe and stay put.
“At this point we hope everyone heeds the warnings and stays home until the storm moves through, allowing state and town plow crews to do their jobs as effectively as they can,” he told GMW.
Wilton is forecast to get another 2-4 inches before the end of the storm.
Closures: Wilton town offices and schools are closed today. The Wilton Library is closed today. The Wilton YMCA has a delayed opening of 1:30 p.m. (to be updated by 11:30 a.m.). Village Market is closed.
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2 a.m. — Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director Jim Blanchfield told GOOD Morning Wilton that the storm track has moved south — 100 miles south — and now projections have dropped for snow accumulation for Wilton.
According to the DESPP, marginal temperatures coupled with a lack of forcing has resulted in a lower snowfall forecast. The heaviest snow continues to trend to the south. The axis of heaviest snow has shifted 100 miles to the south. Snowfall rates of one inch per hour are expected at the height of the storm. Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect for all of Connecticut.
Estimates for snowfall totals are between 3-6 inches for Wilton.
Monday, Feb. 12, 6 p.m. — Village Market will be closed on Tuesday, Feb. 13.
Monday, Feb. 12, 3:20 p.m. — Due to the impending snowstorm on Tuesday, Feb. 13, all Wilton town government buildings will be closed tomorrow.
According to the CT-DESPP, the Nor’easter is tracking slighly south and will strengthen in intensity, resulting in more snow and less mixed precipitation along the shoreline. Moderate to heavy snow is expected with snowfall totals ranging from 6-14 inches.
Wilton is forecast to see more than 10 inches of snow from this event. Snowfall rates could exceed 2 inches per hour at times during the height of the storm.
Snow is predicted to start at around 3 a.m., and become heaviest after 6 a.m., tapering down by the end of Tuesday afternoon. According to State officials, it may take “several hours” for the road conditions to improve.
GOOD Morning Wilton will continue tracking the storm and bring updates as they are necessary. Bookmark this article for continuing storm coverage.
Monday, Feb. 12, 2:45 p.m. — At its 2 p.m. briefing, the CT Dept. of Emergency Services and Public Protection strengthened predictions for the approaching “major winter storm” and has encouraged Connecticut towns to review their local emergency operations plans.
The track of the storm has shifted even further southward, and officials say it will be slightly stronger than first predicted. Wilton Emergency Management Director, Fire Chief Jim Blanchfield is encouraging residents to stay safe.
“Projections show this snowstorm having a major impact on Tuesday travel. If you can stay home, or have the ability to work remotely, that is a good option,” Blanchfield said.
Monday, Feb. 12, 2:30 p.m. — The National Weather Service issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for southern Fairfield County, in effect from 11 p.m. Monday to 2 a.m. Tuesday (Feb. 13); and from 12-4 p.m. on Tuesday.
For the first Coastal Flood Advisory (11 p.m. Monday to 2 a.m. Tuesday), up to one foot of inundation above ground level is expected in low-lying, vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline. Several roads and low-lying properties including parking lots, parks, lawns and homes/businesses with basements near the waterfront will experience flooding, with scattered road closures likely. Vehicles parked in vulnerable areas near the waterfront may become flooded.
For the second Coastal Flood Advisory (12-4 p.m. Tuesday), 1-1/2 to 2 feet of inundation above ground level is expected in vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline. Minor flooding is likely with the Tuesday night high tide.
If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property.
Monday, Feb. 12, 2:15 p.m. — Eversource officials have issued an alert to CT residents about the approaching Nor’easter storm, saying the company is “ready to respond” to any storm-related power outages or system damage. The energy company said in a release it is bringing in additional line and tree crews in advance, and positioning them around the state to be able to quickly respond to any damage or power outages caused by the weather.
Eversource President of Connecticut Electric Operations Steve Sullivan warned through a company press release that this storm brings a heavy, wet snow with added risk.
“The heavy, wet snow can weigh down tree limbs and branches, possibly bringing them down onto electric lines and equipment, causing damage and power outages. The hazardous conditions can also make travel challenging for our crews, so we’re staging extra staff and equipment across the state to ensure we’re ready to respond as quickly as possible wherever our crews are needed,” Sullivan said.
The Eversource release included several instructions and suggestions for customers:
- Stay clear of downed wires, keep pets away and report them immediately to 911.
- Report outages online or by calling 800.286.2000. Customers enrolled in Eversource’s two-way texting feature can send a text to report an outage and receive outage updates as they happen.
- Eversource natural gas customers should be aware that some natural gas heating systems may be affected by a power outage, and it’s important to keep gas meters and outdoor vents clear of snow and ice buildup. Carefully remove snow and ice with a broom or by hand. Do not use a shovel or kick the gas meter. Customers should also immediately leave their homes or businesses if they smell gas, and call 911.
Additional preparedness tips can be found in the Storm Preparedness section on the Eversource website.
Monday, Feb. 12, 10 a.m. — Wilton could finally see a major snowfall for the first time in over two of years, as a winter storm makes its way toward New England. Wilton’s Emergency Management Director, Fire Chief Jim Blanchfield said judging by current weather forecasts, Wilton is “looking at a possible 10.5-inch wet snow starting after midnight.”
The latest briefing from the CT Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) at 8 a.m. this morning warned that the track of the storm has shifted slightly to the south and also will be slightly stronger than originally thought. This will result in more snow and less mixed precipitation along the shoreline.
Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for all of Connecticut now including the
coastline.
Moderate to heavy snow is expected with snowfall totals ranging from 6-14 inches.
Snowfall rates could exceed 2 inches per hour at times during the height of the storm.
According to the DESPP, as the center of low pressure tracks to the south of Connecticut it will rapidly intensify. The central pressure could drop as much as 24mb in a 24-hour period resulting in bombogenesis.
Snow and mixed precipitation is forecast to move into the state from southwest to northeast early Tuesday morning. The snow is forecast to quickly become heavy at times by 6 a.m. and continue into early Tuesday afternoon.
The rapid intensification will result in strong gusty winds and the possibility of thundersnow. Minor to moderate coastal flooding is possible. The exact impact will depend on the timing of the storm and tides.
North winds are forecast to strengthen and gust to 45 mph at times. Strong gusty winds coupled with moderate-to-heavy snow (1-3 inches per hour) are expected to have a major impact on travel Tuesday morning and a moderate/major impact
Tuesday afternoon. Isolated power outages are also possible.
GOOD Morning Wilton will continue tracking the storm and bring updates as they are necessary.