Incoming Blizzard May Be Accompanied by Flooding

UPDATE:

In its 2:15 p.m. forecast update, the National Weather Service raised its predicted snowfall accumulation totals for our area to 15-20 inches, with the possibility of as much as two feet in areas where strong bands of snow occur.

It says snow banding is expected to pivot over the New York City metropolitan area.

Indications are the heaviest snowfall will occur over south central Connecticut and western Suffolk and Nassau counties on Long Island, N.Y.

Also, the storm's low pressure system will potentially produce a "damaging wind field," the weather service says, with wind gusts up to 45-60 mph on Long Island.

The general forecast for the storm remains the same, with blizzard conditions occurring as the storm moves up the east cost. It will be centered just south of Long Island tonight.

Previous update:

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for coastal and interior southwestern Connecticut, meaning severe winter weather is expected, along with a flood watch from evening through late night on Sunday for areas along the coast. Blustery winds are expected overnight, with gusts of up to 50 mph.

In a 12:40 p.m. update on Sunday, the weather service predicted accumulations of 15 to 20 inches, with "locally higher amounts of up to two feet possible."

The weather service warned of "extremely dangerous travel conditions developing this afternoon into the evening" because of the snow. "Strong winds may also down some power lines."

In reaction to the impending storm, Gov. M. Jodi Rell opened the State Emergency Operations Center, according to the Associated Press.

(For the latest National Weather Service forecast for Norwalk, follow this link. For the latest weather cancellations from the Connecticut Weather, Inc. website, follow this link.)

The weather service also issued a coastal flood watch for the entire Long Island Sound coast in Connecticut and New York state from Sunday evening through late night. Widespread minor coastal flooding was expected, with the possibility of "moderate coastal flooding." Tidal departures of 2.5 to 3.5 feet were expected.

In a revision to previous forecasts on the approaching storm, the National Weather Service says indications are the heaviest snowfall will occur over south central Connecticut and western Suffolk and Nassau counties on Long Island, N.Y. It says heavier amounts of snowfall than predicted earlier may also occur over southwestern Connecticut and New York City.

Where bands of snow occur, the weather service says, snowfall may amount to 20 inches or more.

The general forecast for the storm remains the same, with blizzard conditions occurring as the storm moves up the east cost. It will be centered just south of Long Island tonight.

The warning, which took effect Sunday morning, was to continue through 6 p.m. Monday. During that period, accumulations of 11 to 16 inches of snow are possible, with locally higher amounts.

The snow that began falling late Sunday morning was expected to reach 2 to 4 inches by nightfall, with 6 to 10 inches expected overnight. Snowfall could be heavy at times Sunday afternoon, with winds of 16 to 21 mph.

Starting Sunday evening and continuing throughout the night, 6 to 10 inches of snow are possible, with the temperature expected to reach a low of 24 degrees and winds picking up to between 24 and 32 mph. Gusts of up to 50 mph are possible, according to the weather service.

The storm will continue into Monday, with a 70 percent chance of snowfall occurring from noon to 3 p.m. Only half an inch of snow is expected. Winds of 25 to 30 mph are expected, with gusts of up to 46 mph.

The weather service says precipitation may change to sleet along coastal southeastern Connecticut during the height of the storm Sunday night. Some thunder is possible.

The American Red Cross has tips on preparing for severe winter snow.