Winter Weather Alert 02.04.22 - Dept. of Emergency Services & Public Protection (DESPP)

The changeover timing and ending for this storm have been pushed back a few hours in the latest model runs.  At 9:00 AM light rain was falling across the state with temperatures ranging from near freezing in the NW hills to the upper 40’s at the southeast coast.  Winds are light and shifting to the north at 5 – 10 MPH. Here’s the latest forecast based on the current GFS and NAM models:

This Morning: Rain changing slowly to a mix of sleet and freezing rain in the Danbury and Hartford areas between 10:00 AM and Noon.  Plain rain is expected along the coast and in southeastern CT.  Most roads should be wet for the remainder of the morning with just a minor impact on driving.  Temperatures in central CT are forecast to drop from the mid 30’s currently down to near freezing by 11:00 AM.  Some patches of black ice may form by late morning especially on shaded and less traveled roads.

This Afternoon: In the NW Hills - Sleet and freezing rain is forecast to change briefly to wet snow by late afternoon.  Some icing may occur with 1/10^th to 1/4” of ice on trees and powerlines and a minor number of power outages.  In Central CT – Sleet is forecast to continue thru the afternoon with rain in southeastern CT.  Temperatures are forecast to drop into the upper 20’s in central CT and near 30 F at the coast by late this afternoon.  Some of the sleet may start sticking to any untreated roads by early to mid-afternoon especially in the NW and NE hills and central CT.  A minor impact is expected for the afternoon rush hour with a coating of sleet or patches of black ice on shoulders, ramps, and bridges where the treatment has been washed away.

This Evening: A flash freeze with widespread black ice is possible on roads where the treatment was washed away by earlier rainfall.  The precipitation may end as a few hours of light wet snow.  The overall impact of this event is expected to be minor.

DESPP / DEMHS will continue to monitor conditions around the state, and once another update is provided it will be posted here.