Snow Accumulation Estimates Change: Here Are The New Projections

CONNECTICUT — We're still on track for our first significant widespread snowstorm of this winter season, but milder temperatures has resulted in more liquid than frozen precipitation, at least initially.

Accumulating snow is still forecast Sunday night, but it's beginning later than initially expected.

Snow was expected to begin after 1 p.m. but many areas have reported light rain and sleet due to the warmer temperatures. The changeover from rain to snow will occur Sunday night.

"Precipitation breaks out from west to east, primarily in the form of snow to the west, but where temperatures are well above freezing, it will be in the form of rain and sleet east," WFSB 3 TV meteorologists said. "Data has been trending milder and indicating a longer time frame with above freezing temperatures and a longer duration of rain or a wintry mix, and so we have lowered the totals a little bit.

"We expect those areas east starting off with rain or a wintry mix to change to all snow by the evening hours," WFSB 3 TV meteorologists said. "At first, snow could be wet and heavy. A few isolated outages will be possible. Colder air eventually filters in which will help to transition snow over to a fluffier consistency overnight from northwest to southeast. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect starting this PM across most of CT, except for the immediate shoreline which is under a Winter Weather Advisory. That means slick travel is likely, starting northwest first and pretty much the entire state by the evening hours as temperatures cool.

"We’re forecasting a widespread 4-6″ across Connecticut with locally higher amounts possible depending on banding. The greatest chance for 6-8″ remains across NW CT, and for 2-4″ SE where it takes the longest to change to snow," WFSB 3 TV meteorologists said. (Read more at WFSB 3 TV).

Here are the final snow accumulation estimates from the National Weather Service:

Coastal sections of Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties:

A winter weather advisory is in effect from 1 p.m. until 4 a.m. Monday. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 5 inches. Locally higher amounts up to 6 inches possible.

Inland sections of Fairfield, New Haven and Middlesex counties:

A winter storm warning is in effect from 1 p.m. until 4 a.m. Monday. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 7 inches.

Inland section of New London County:

A winter storm warning is in effect from 1 p.m. until 4 a.m. Monday. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 7 inches.

Hartford/Tolland County:

A winter storm warning is in effect from 1 p.m. until 7 a.m. Monday. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches with localized 10 inch amounts possible.

Windham County:

A winter storm warning is in effect from 1 p.m. until 7 a.m. Monday. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches.

Litchfield County:

A winter storm warning is in effect from 1 p.m. until 7 a.m. Monday. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches.