Community Corner

Snow, Icy Rain Forecast for Tuesday, Wednesday [Update]

Have a flat roof? Officials say extra weight of new snow and ice could threaten already snow-packed roofs and decks.

Update, 10:51 p.m.:

Governor Dannel P. Malloy on Tuesday night warned of possible power outages as a result of the predicted snow, rain and icy conditions on Wednesday, and he asked state residents to remove accumulated snow from flat roofs, which will be bearing not only heavy snow, but rainwater and ice.

"It's winter in Connecticut, so while we are dealing with excess snow from last week's storm, we have yet another one right on our doorstep," the governor said in a statement released Tuesday evening. "Tomorrow's commute will be a sloppy mess, so I'm urging people to take it slow, drive carefully, and be aware of any icing that may occur.

"Please alert the authorities if you see any drooping power lines and be aware of any flat surfaces which may be at risk due to snow, ice and rain accumulation," Malloy said. "This isn't an anomaly in our state, but we still need to be aware and take precautions."

Find out what's happening in Norwalkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The National Weather Service forecast for Norwalk as of 8:36 p.m. Monday was for a 70 percent chance of precipitation overnight, with snow mainly after 2 a.m. and accumulations of up to 2 inches.

For Tuesday, snow should change to rain at about 9 a.m., and for the next three hours shift between rain, snow and freezing rain, with a 100 percent chance of precipitation. As much as another 2 inches of snow may accumulate. On Tuesday evening, rain is likely before 9 p.m., with a 60 percent chance of precipitation.

Find out what's happening in Norwalkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Original article:

Heavy precipitation predicted for our region over the next two days could add 30 to 60 percent more weight to and decks, causing building “failures,” according to William J. Hackett, Connecticut’s Director of Emergency Management.

Snow is expected to start falling overnight (mostly after 3 a.m., with an 80 percent chance of precipitation), then an inch to an inch-and-a-half of snow and freezing rain is forecast for Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Snow is expected before 9:00 a.m., followed by snow and freezing rain from 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Then a mix of snow and rain is forecast to continue through Tuesday night and into Wednesday.

In response to this forecast of “liquid precipitation,” the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) and the Department of Public Safety Division of Fire, Emergency and Building Services has issued a warning about the added weight the precipitation will bring to roofs and decks already covered by heavy snow pack.

 Hackett said if the state receives more than two inches of rain, the failure risk could increase significantly.

 “It is recommended that caution be exercised and roof and deck loads be monitored closely 
by appropriate personnel,” Hackett said in an e-mail. “People with concerns about their roof loads 
should contact their, or in case of emergency,
their local ."


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