A significant nor'easter pounded Connecticut on Monday, dumping up to 2 feet of snow in some places, as well as delivering heavy winds and blizzard conditions. Officials urged motorists to stay off the roads and schools were closed across the state Monday.
Snow started falling Sunday evening, with the heaviest snow coming Monday morning. Winds were expected to gust as high as 55 mph. About 2 to 3 inches of snow was falling per hour at one point Monday morning, the National Weather Service said.
Cities along the shoreline in southeastern Connecticut were reporting the most snow. As of Monday afternoon, North Stonington reported more than 26 inches, while Mystic saw 24 inches. In New Haven County, Madison reported 20 inches and Branford reported 19 inches. Many cities in northern Connecticut were reporting 10 to 12 inches of snow. Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks reported nearly 12 inches as of early Monday afternoon.
Snow fell across much of the Northeast, with Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts getting hit the hardest. In Providence, T.F. Green International Airport recorded 33 inches of snow as of early Monday afternoon. In Massachusetts, some towns on Cape Cod recorded winds in excess of 70 mph.
In Connecticut, power outages were not widespread as of Monday afternoon. Eversource said it had restored power to more than 24,000 customers; nearly 9,000 Eversource customers were without power as of 3 p.m. In southern Connecticut, United Illuminating had restored power to more than 4,000 customers; about 450 United Illuminating customers didn't have power as of 1 p.m.
State of emergency in CT
A blizzard warning was in effect for the entire state of Connecticut starting Sunday afternoon.
Gov. Ned Lamont issued a state of emergency for Connecticut for Sunday evening and Monday. In addition, he signed an emergency order that prohibits commercial vehicles from traveling on highways starting at 5 p.m. Sunday.
Officials were urging people to plan ahead and avoid non-essential travel during the storm.
“I’m urging everyone to take this storm and the blizzard conditions it will bring seriously,” Lamont said in a statement. “During its height, we are going to experience intense winds that will cause whiteout conditions, severely limiting visibility and making motor vehicle travel very dangerous.”
At a Sunday afternoon press briefing at the Connecticut Emergency Operations Center in Hartford, officials urged residents to be prepared for what’s expected to be a more impactful storm than the one last month that dumped nearly 20 inches on parts of Connecticut.
“This is not our first snowstorm. We’re New England. But this is going to be a bad one,” Lamont said. “Probably the worst storm we’ve seen since 2013.”
State Emergency Management Director William Turner agreed.
“It is going to be a very dangerous storm,” Turner said. “We’re looking at a multi-hazard event. We’re not only talking heavy, wet snow, but also the potential for coastal flooding and very high winds. It’s been many years since the entire state was under a blizzard warning like we’re under now.”
Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said hundreds of plow drivers were at the ready, but that the clearing of roads and highways was likely to be a bigger job than after last month’s storm, due to wetter and heavier snow.
“It’s gonna take us much longer to clear the highways during this storm than it did during the previous storm, so we’re just asking for your patience,” Eucalitto said.
Steve Sullivan, president of Connecticut electric operations for Eversource, said the utility was anticipating major power impacts across the state.
“We would expect several hundred thousand customers could be without power, and a 2-to-6-day restoration,” Sullivan said.
Travel is expected to be "nearly impossible" with blowing snow reducing visibility, the weather service said. Power outages are possible due to the high winds and snow, which is expected to be heavy and wet.
Shelters open, flights canceled, schools close
Lamont enacted Connecticut's severe cold weather protocol starting at noon Sunday. The protocol leads to coordination among state agencies, cities and shelters to help the most vulnerable stay out of the cold weather.
People in need of shelter or a warming center may call 211 or visit 211ct.org.
“It will be extremely dangerous to be outside during this storm, and we want to get the word out that shelters and warming centers are open statewide for anyone who needs a safe place to stay warm,” Lamont said in a statement.
Dozens of flights were cancelled Sunday and Monday at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks. Tweed New Haven Airport will be closed Sunday evening and Monday until 8 p.m.
School districts across the state have announced closures for Monday, including Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport public schools.
Learn more about closures and delays here and here and here.
Power outages possible
Eversource and United Illuminating say they're preparing for power restoration to take days due to forecasted heavy, wet snow and heavy winds that could lead to bringing down trees and tree limbs onto power lines and equipment.
Eversource has about 700 crews, including people from other states, and is placing workers and equipment in various parts of the state in advance of the storm.
Eversource recommends people prepare, including having a kit with water, non-perishable foods, flashlights, and medications, as well as charging devices and food for pets.
“This is forecasted to be a slow‑moving, long‑duration winter storm with blizzard warnings in effect for parts of the state and that can be very problematic," Sullivan said in a statement. "Deep snow and drifting can bury downed power lines and electrical equipment, making hazards difficult to see. The poor visibility from high winds and blowing snow will also make it very challenging for crews traveling to damage locations and working on equipment."
United Illuminating spokesperson Angela Baccaro said with the heavy winds, "it is important to always stay away from downed wires and assume all downed wires are energized and dangerous.”
People should report downed wires to 911.
Cities prepare
Cities across Connecticut issued snow emergencies and parking bans.
Hartford’s parking ban was in effect starting at noon Sunday. Blue Light lots are open to allow residents to get their vehicles off the street. All Hartford Public Schools parking lots are available for parking, except for Bulkeley High.
“Our Public Works team is standing by to keep our roads clear and safe, but we need your help to make our snow cleaning operation as easy as possible,” Mayor Arunan Arulampalam said in a statement.
In New Haven, a parking ban was in effect starting at noon Sunday. In residential areas, parking is not allowed on odd-numbered side streets, city officials said. In downtown, as well as snow emergency routes, parking is not allowed on both sides of the street. Vehicles can be parked at several locations, including selected parking lots at New Haven Public Schools, Yale University parking lots and downtown parking garages. Learn about New Haven warming centers here.
Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons declared a winter storm emergency starting Saturday afternoon, which limits on-street parking. Parking will be free at the Bedford, Bell, and Summer Street garages, officials said.
Connecticut Public's Chris Polansky contributed to this story. This is an ongoing weather event and this story will be updated.