Winter storm could damage trees, cut power

The first snowfall of the year left parking bans, accidents and some closures and cancellations in its wake Sunday.

The storm began Sunday afternoon, as snow began to fall throughout the region. According to the National Weather Service, a winter weather advisory was expected until Tuesday at 7 a.m.

Snow started on Sunday afternoon, with one to three inches expected in Bridgeport alone. The precipitation turned to freezing rain Sunday night, and was expected to turn back to snow by Monday.

Sunday evening, the Bridgeport Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security/

Emergency Communications issued a statement that it was “continuing to monitor the two storms and their tracks . ... The second storm is forecasted to redevelop into a coastal system east of New Jersey on Monday which will drag cold air from the north changing the precipitation back to snow tomorrow. The snow will continue through tomorrow night as the low pressure intensifies and slowly moves to the east. We are expecting some snow accumulation late Monday into Monday night as temperatures fall below freezing while the low pressure wraps in moisture on its backside.”

Sunday afternoon, the weather caused plenty of changes and problems around the state.

Multiple towns and cities issued parking bans. For instance, Danbury officials said Sunday that a street parking ban would go into effect later in the day.

“We will be ticketing and towing vehicles left in the street,” said Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton on Twitter.

The Brookfield Public Works Department reminded its residents on Facebook that the town has a street parking ban in effect, and asked residents to limit their driving as much as possible during the storm.

In Monroe, First Selectman Ken Kellogg sent residents an email Saturday reminding them that there was to be no parking on “public roads during or after a winter storm that interferes with snow or ice removal or otherwise creates a hazard.”

In Stratford, a parking ban was announced on the town Facebook page Sunday afternoon. “In consideration of inclement winter weather there will be a parking ban in Stratford tonight to accommodate clearing of streets. Parking is permitted on the odd numbered side of the road only,” the post read.

Bradley International Airport also was affected by the storm. Though the airport was open Sunday, “We are starting to see some flight delays/cancellations for this afternoon/ evening,” read a post on the airport’s Twitter page. “If you are traveling, please contact your airline to confirm the status of your flight.”

The weather also led to slippery road conditions. State Department of Transportation officials cautioned people to stay off the roads Sunday, and to use caution when they were driving.

Others warning drivers included the Fairfield Police Department, which reported on its Twitter page shortly before 4 p.m. that “several vehicle crashes have already been reported. Please remember to take it slow while driving in ice and snow. If possible, we ask that you remain off the roads to allow crews to treat and clear Fairfield’s 271+ miles of roadways.”

In Monroe, the bookstore Turning the Page — which had announced its intent to stay open until 4 p.m. earlier in the day on Sunday — posted on its Facebook page around 3:20 p.m. that it was closing early due to the weather, and that its hours might change Monday, depending on whether the schools were closed.