State is Monitoring Forecast for Hurricane Joaquin

Hurricane Jaoquin 2015 NOAAGOV. MALLOY SAYS STATE IS MONITORING FORECAST FOR HURRICANE JOAQUIN, ADVISES RESIDENTS TO BE PREPARED FOR POSSIBLE SEVERE WEATHER

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today said that his office and state emergency management officials are closely monitoring the activity of Hurricane Joaquin, which is currently in the Atlantic Ocean, and is advising Connecticut residents to closely follow weather reports and prepare for the possibility of its arrival in the region over the next five days.

“We are monitoring the storm closely, and our state emergency management officials have been in regular contact with the national weather service.  While there are many variables with this storm, we are paying close attention to its track,” Governor Malloy said.  “Just as the state and its agencies are monitoring the weather and preparing appropriately, residents should do the same and closely watch forecasts over the next few days.”

Officials with the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection are prepared to coordinate any potential state response and are participating in ongoing National Weather Service conference calls to receive the latest information on the storm’s track.

Blizzard Warnings in Effect for the Entire State

Storm TrackerPOTENTIALLY HISTORIC WINTER STORM TO IMPACT STATE TODAY AND SATURDAY

Blizzard Warnings are now in effect for the entire state until 1:00 PM Saturday Afternoon.  Blizzard Warnings are issued for sustained or gusty winds of 35 mph or more, and falling or blowing snow creating visibilities at or below ¼ mile for at least three hours which is expected tonight.

This Morning: Light snow developing across the state between 7:00 – 9:00 AM becoming moderate and steady by noon.  Temperatures holding in the upper 20’s in Northern CT and near 30 F along the coast.

This Afternoon: Snow in Northern CT with a mix in Southern CT becoming heavy at times between 1:00 – 3:00 PM with temperatures holding in the upper 20’s in Northern CT and near 30 F at the coast.

This Evening and Overnight: Blizzard conditions with any mixed precipitation changing to all snow by 7:00 PM.  Snowfall rates up to 5” per hour with zero visibilities at times and blowing and drifting snow.  Lows dropping into the low 20’s statewide with Northeast Winds gusting to 40 MPH inland and up to 60 MPH along the coast.  Moderate power outages and moderate coastal flooding expected with high tide just before midnight in Western Long Island Sound.

Saturday Morning: Heavy snow tapering to moderate snow from West to East between 7:00 – 10:00 AM.  Strong North Winds gusting to 40 MPH Inland and 50 MPH at the Coast.  Zero visibilities at times with Blizzard Conditions until 10:00 AM.

Saturday Afternoon: Moderate snow tapering off to light snow and ending by 3:00 PM.  Continued blowing and drifting of snow with Northwest winds gusting to 40 MPH at times and ground blizzard conditions at times.

Total snowfall may be historic with 12 – 24” in Western CT, 20 – 36” in Central and Eastern CT and 15 – 30” along the coast.  Isolated amounts to 40” may occur.

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) will continue to monitor the latest forecasts and will issue another update at 10:00 AM.

This product is a public service of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), and is intended for informational purposes only.  DESPP assumes no liability for the use or distribution of this product or any actions resulting from this product.

Winter Storm Update: DESPP Alert

Storm Track2013

MAJOR WINTER STORM STILL EXPECTED FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON TO SATURDAY AFTERNOON

BLIZZARD WATCHES ISSUED FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN CONNECTICUT

With 24 hours to go before the start of this storm, the forecast confidence is fair to good at this time.  Any changes in the storm track will significantly change snowfall amounts.

Towns are advised to review their local Emergency Operations Plans.

The National Weather Service has issued Blizzard Watches for Central and Eastern Connecticut.  Winter Storm Watches are in effect for Litchfield and Fairfield Counties.

The latest computer models continue to forecast that a Major Winter Storm will impact our area Friday afternoon, Friday night and Saturday morning.   The latest track forecast for this storm is predicting that a low pressure system will form south of the Del Mar Va Peninsula Friday afternoon and then rapidly intensity as the storm moves Northeast Friday night to a position southeast of Nantucket by 7:00 AM Saturday morning.  Light snow is forecast to start Friday around daybreak remaining light for several hours.  The snow may mix with rain at times from late morning into the mid afternoon in Southern CT.  The snow is then forecast to become heavy by late afternoon with a change to all snow along the coast.  Heavy snow is expected overnight on Friday, into Saturday morning, ending early afternoon on Saturday.  Total snowfall is expected to range from 10 – 20” in Southern CT up to 16 – 26” in Northern CT.

Strong Northeast winds are also expected with sustained winds of 20 – 30 MPH Friday night gusting to 55 MPH inland and 70 MPH at times along the coast.  These strong winds may bring down trees and power lines resulting in a moderate number of power outages.  Some coastal flooding is expected during the time of high tide Friday night just before midnight with minor flooding possible.

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) will continue to monitor the latest forecasts and will issue another update at 3:00 PM this afternoon.

This product is a public service of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), and is intended for informational purposes only. DESPP assumes no liability for the use or distribution of this product or any actions resulting from this product.