Forecasters reduce snowfall predictions

After several days of anticipation, the day of the snowstorm is finally here.

By 7:45 p.m., some areas of Connecticut were starting to see snow.

The length of the storm is expected to be shorter than initially anticipated and the total snowfall is expected to fall below what meteorologists were predicting a few days ago.

A winter weather advisory was still in effect for most of the state through 10 a.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The service estimated 4 to 8 inches of snow and sleet for much of the northern part of the state and 1 to 4 inches for most of southern Connecticut.

Officials are asking residents to stay off the roads during the storm if possible.

As of 8 p.m. Saturday, Gov. Ned Lamont said statewide and local agencies were prepared for whatever the snowstorm brings.

“I feel very confident that we’re ready for this,” Lamont said during a winter storm briefing at the Emergency Operations Center in Hartford.

Forecasts had called for precipitation to begin late Saturday afternoon and to continue into Sunday. By Saturday night, those forecasts had drastically changed. With the delay in snowfall, expected accumulations were also reduced.

A winter weather advisory was still in effect for most of the state through 10 a.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The service estimated 4 to 8 inches of snow and sleet for much of the northern part of the state and 1 to 4 inches for most of southern Connecticut.

Lamont said ice was a major concern.

“Ice is dangerous on roads; ice takes down power lines,” he said.

The weather service reiterated that point, saying travel Saturday night into Sunday night would be difficult and potentially dangerous.

“Be cautious and stay home, if you can,” Lamont said, adding having fewer civilian vehicles on the road helps crews clear snow more efficiently.

Though there was a truck and bus ban for most major highways in New York, Lamont said Connecticut would not follow suit.

He said the state’s Department of Transportation had 631 plows ready statewide to clear the roads. Earlier in the week, DOT said crews pretreated problematic roadways across Connecticut.

Since the storm was expected to bring snow, sleet, freezing rain, rain and wind to the state, flooding was also a concern along the coast, Lamont said.

“Flooding followed by bitterly cold temperatures,” would likely lead to areas of severe icing, he said.

With the winds expected, Lamont said, there was the possibility for power outages. But, he said, the utility companies were monitoring the storm.

“They are ready, they’ve been ready,” he said. “They’ve got the crews ready to go … extra crews ready to go.”

At Bradley International Airport, some airlines started changing their schedules earlier Saturday and more adjustments were made throughout the afternoon to the evening schedules.

There are various canceled flights, primarily arrivals, because of the predicted weather conditions.

Those scheduled to travel Sunday are urged to check with their airline on their individual flight itineraries. Several airlines have put travel waivers in place.

Real-time flight updates are available at www.flybdl.org. Twitter users can be automated updates by tweeting their flight number to @BDLFlightInfo.

In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo late Friday announced a bus and tractor trailer ban.

The ban is across the entire thruway system in New York and most interstate highways. The only exceptions will be Interstate 95 in Westchester and Bronx counties.

The ban began at 3 p.m. Saturday and is expected to last through the duration of the storm.

A Danbury CTAlert from Mayor Mark Boughton said the Danbury area is expecting 4 to 6 inches of snowfall Saturday night before it changes over to freezing perception overnight.

A level one snow emergency took effect at 5 p.m.

“Please move your cars off of the street,” the alert said. “Please remember to shovel your sidewalk.”

The NWS is expected to see snow, freezing rain and sleet before 3 a.m. Sunday. Then, freezing rain will come in between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. Sunday, then rain after 4 a.m.

The new estimated accumulation of ice is between 0.1 to 0.3 of an inch. New snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 5 inches.

The New Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department said it’s prepared for the upcoming storm.

"Members of each firehouse have checked each piece of equipment and fire trucks have been fueled," officials said. Snow chains have been added the tires of each rig. Officials said members are, "ready to go."

The NFVFD is asking residents not to travel Saturday night and Sunday as a precaution.