Snow Estimates Rise: Here's How Much Snow Is Forecast For Us Now

CONNECTICUT — Our first significant widespread snowstorm in two years appears on track this weekend.

Most areas of the state are forecast to see a minimum of six inches of snow, and some places could reach a foot of snow, according to forecasters.

The biggest question centers on the coastal towns along the Interstate 95 corridor, where some sleet and rain is expected to mix in, which could limit snow accumulation. On Thursday, it was originally believed 1 to 3 inches of snow would accumulate, but then it was increased to 3 to 6 inches late Thursday, and as of Friday, a total of 2 to 5 inches of snow and sleet is now forecast along the coast.

A winter storm warning is in effect for Hartford, Tolland, Windham, and Litchfield counties and inland sections of southern Connecticut. A winter weather advisory is in effect for coastal sections of Fairfield and New Haven counties.

According to the National Weather Service, the first flakes may start falling after 4 p.m. Saturday in parts of the state, but the heavy snow is forecast to fall late Saturday into Sunday morning.

Here are all the latest updates on snow totals via the National Weather Service:

Inland sections of southern Connecticut:

A winter storm warning is in effect from 4 p.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday. "Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 9 inches....The heaviest snow will fall during the evening into early morning hours. There could be some light rain or drizzle mixed in overnight."

Coastal sections of Fairfield/New Haven County:

A winter weather advisory is in effect from 4 p.m. Saturday to 11 a.m. Sunday. "Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph....Rain will likely mix in as the night progresses."

Coastal sections of Middlesex/New London County:

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of snow after 5pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 36. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. Light and variable wind becoming east 5 to 8 mph in the morning.

Saturday Night: Snow before 11pm, then rain and snow between 11pm and 2am, then snow after 2am. Low around 31. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Breezy, with an east wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Sunday: Snow before 8am, then rain and snow. High near 37. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. Breezy, with a north wind 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

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Hartford/Tolland/Windham County:

A winter storm warning is in effect from 4 p.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. Monday. "Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph...Snow overspreads the region from west to east roughly between 5 and 9 pm Saturday evening. The snow will then become heavy and fall at 1 to 2 inches for a time Saturday night. There may be a bit of a lull in the snow for a time early Sunday...but a second round of steady snow will redevelop later Sunday morning into Sunday afternoon. The snow should finally come to an end sometime early Sunday evening."

Litchfield County:

A winter storm warning is in effect from 4 p.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday. "Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches. Higher amounts of around 12 inches are possible in the eastern Catskills. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph....Snowfall rates may be close to one inch per hour at times for Saturday evening into early Sunday morning."

WFSB 3 TV snow forecast predictions

"Snow develops across Connecticut around and after sunset on Saturday," WFSB 3 TV chief meteorologist Mark Dixon with Mike Slifer. "By 8 p.m., steady snow will falling across most of the state. This will be a period of steadier, heavier snow and coincides with strengthening wind gusts. Travel will be impacted... so if your Saturday evening plans take you out of the house, expect roads to deteriorate quickly after sunset. The steady snow will continue inland, but southeastern Connecticut will see a period of rain mixing in with the snow. This will cut down on totals, but also make the snow much heavier/wetter, and thus difficult to remove. Snow continues into Sunday morning as it gradually weakens. Slick travel is likely to begin the day Sunday, too. The strongest gusts will top out around 30 mph or so. Winds will coincide with the period of heavier snow, peaking through late Saturday evening and eventually relaxing midday Sunday. Isolated power outages are possible but we do not expect widespread issues.

"Given the storm trends, we’re expecting 6-10″ along and northwest of I-84. A few towns in Litchfield county may report totals slightly over the 10″ mark. Towns throughout the Quiet Corner will fall in the 6-10″ range, too. Forecast totals of 3-6″ are expected in the Greater Hartford Area, as well as for inland sections of New Haven, Middlesex, and New London Counties. Mixing along the shoreline and in southeastern Connecticut will keep totals lower, ending in the 1-3″ range. The wind tomorrow night into Sunday could gust to around or even over 30 mph. (Read/watch more at WFSB 3 TV).

Next storm emerges for next week

Tuesday: Rain likely after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday Night: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 37. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Wednesday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 60%.