The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Frigid temperatures expected for days in CT
After a dusting of snow in some parts of the state Thursday morning, Gov. Ned Lamont has activated Connecticut’s severe cold weather protocol.
Lamont said the protocol will remain in effect until noon Feb. 17 with forecasts calling for frigid weather in the coming days.
A powdery snow fell during the early-morning hours Thursday, ending in time for the morning commute.
The temperature on Thursday hovered in the low- to mid-30s, with wind chill values in the highteens to mid-20s. The temperature was expected to drop around 10 degrees Thursday night, with wind chill values between zero and 5 degrees.
“I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is in this weather to spend extended periods of time outdoors,” Lamont said in a statement. “Shelters are open throughout the state, and we need to spread the word to the most vulnerable in our communities that these services are available.”
Lamont said the state will see brutal wind chills every night for nearly a week, adding that he might extend the duration of the protocol beyond Feb. 17 if needed.
Friday, wind chill values will be between zero and 10 degrees during the day and between zero and 5 degrees during the night.
While the protocol is in effect, state agencies and municipalities coordinate with United Way 211 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to protect vulnerable communities from the severe weather conditions.
Anyone seeking shelter should call 211 to get connected to services.
The light snow Thursday was the third storm since Sunday when between 4 and 9 inches accumulated around the state.
And it won’t be the last chance for snow this week, according to the latest forecasts from the National Weather Service.
Friday will be sunny, with clouds moving in at night.
By Saturday night, the area has a roughly 50 percent chance of seeing additional snow — although accumulation amounts have not yet been predicted. That percentage drops to about 40 percent Sunday morning.
The temperature will rise to the high-20s during the day Saturday, dropping to the high-teens at night and bringing in a chance of snow. The latest forecasts indicate possibly a 50 percent chance of snow Saturday night.
That percentage of snow continues into Sunday, with a high in the low-30s, dropping to the mid-teens by Sunday night. Temperatures on Monday mirror Sunday, without the chance of snow.
The temperature will hover around 30 degrees during the day Tuesday, with a roughly 50 percent chance of snow. By night, that percentage drops to around 40 and the temperate to around 20 degrees.
The forecast indicates the temperature will be back above freezing again next Wednesday, with the temperature in the mid-30s.