Community Corner

Impending Snowstorm Already Causing Postponements

Written by Barbara Heins

Nearly 20 hours before the latest winter storm is expected to begin dumping up to 10 inches of snow in the Fairfield County region, the cancellation and postponement of events has begun.

Late Monday afternoon, Greenwich's state legislative delegation —State Representatives Livvy Floren (R-149), Stephen Walko (R-150), and Fred Camillo (R-151) and Sen. Scott Frantz (R-36) — announced postponement of its  informational forum on health care that was scheduled for 7 p.m., Jan. 21 in the Cone Room of Greenwich Town Hall. The program will be rescheduled.

If your organization's event or program is postpone or cancelled, you can post the information in our comments section below.

On Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service upgraded its winter storm watch to a winter storm warning for the tri-state region, including Fairfield County. The warning is in effect from noon Tuesday, Jan. 21 through 6 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Snow is expected by noon and continue through Tuesday afternoon and night. Winds will pick up with gusts of 30 mph expected to reduce vislbility to a quarter of a mile with blowing and drifting snow. Wind chills overnight Tuesday could reach 10 below zero.

A winter storm warning for heavy snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring, according to the NWS. Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous. Only travel in an emergency, the NWS warns. If you must travel, the NWS advises to keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

Here's the forecast:
  • Tuesday: Snow, mainly after noon. High near 21. North wind 9 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
  • Tuesday Night: Snow with widespread blowing snow before midnight, then snow likely with widespread blowing snow between midnight and 3am, then widespread blowing snow and a chance of snow after 3am. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 8. Wind chill values as low as -7. Blustery, with a north wind 20 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.
  • Wednesday: A slight chance of snow before 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 16. Blustery, with a northwest wind 16 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
  • Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8.
  • Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 24.
  • Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 7.
  • Friday: Sunny, with a high near 20.
  • Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14.

Gov. Dannel Malloy has directed the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), the Dept. of Social Services (DSS), the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), and the Department of Housing (DOH) to coordinate with 2-1-1 and the state's network of shelters to ensure that the state’s most vulnerable are protected.

“Throughout the winter season, we continue to take the necessary steps to make sure that we can take care of those in need of shelter, especially our state’s most vulnerable populations,” said Governor Malloy in a release. “I urge anyone in need of shelter to call 2-1-1 and encourage local communities to consider opening warming centers or other facilities to help people in need.”


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