Connecticut Weather Forecast: Wind Chill Warning This Weekend, Snow Possible Monday

The National Weather Service early Saturday made it official, a “Wind Chill Warning” is now in effect for the entire state later today and into Sunday.

The immediate Connecticut coastline from Greenwich to New London had been under a “Wind Chill Watch,” which was upgraded to a warning Saturday morning.

Around midnight the entire state is expected to be below zero and falling into Sunday morning, and wind chill factors could make it feel as cold as 25 to 30 below. The “warmer” parts of the state will only feel like 15 degrees below zero.

You’ve been hearing about the dangerous and record-breaking cold coming up for Valentine’s Day weekend for several days now, but once the extreme cold snaps on Monday, we could be looking at some snow, turning to sleet, and then heavy rain on Tuesday.

The National Weather Service already has issued a “Hazardous Weather Outlook” for Monday night saying “significant wintry precipitation” may hit Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties, but the track of the storm is causing a lot of uncertainty currently.

No snow accumulation estimates have been made, but it’s clear that by Tuesday morning the snow and ice will be long gone and replaced by a heavy soaking rain, which could cause flooding concerns. Temps on Tuesday could reach into the mid to upper 40s.

The National Weather Service also says snow is possible in Hartford and Tolland counties Monday afternoon and evening, and then a changeover to ice and finally rain by Tuesday morning. No advisories have been issued for snow as of yet in Hartford and Tolland counties.

• Related story: Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Idle Your Car on Cold Mornings

The latest on this weekend’s potentially record-breaking cold:

Fairfield/New Haven/Middlesex/New London counties: Wind chill Warning is in effect from 1 p.m. today to noon Sunday. Temps will fall to below zero early Sunday and wind chill values may reach as low as 20 to 30 degrees below zero.

High temps on Sunday will only be in the teens and wind chills will not rise above zero until mid to late afternoon, the weather service writes.

“The frigid conditions will be extremely dangerous to those venturing outside,” the weather service cautions. “Prolonged exposure will cause frostbite.”

Hartford and Tolland counties: A “Wind Chill Warning” is in effect from 4 p.m. today to noon Sunday, which could lead to “life-threatening wind chills.”

Wind chill readings could fall to as low as 33 below. The strongest wind gusts will be Saturday afternoon and evening.

As for the actual temperatures, lows after midnight are expected to be 5 to 15 degrees below zero.

Tips for keeping you, your car and house safe via the National Weather Service:

• Cover exposed pipes to reduce the threat of frozen pipes or pipe bursts.
• Ensure your furnaces are in working order.
• Never venture outdoors without wearing gloves, a hat and several layers of clothing.
• Run water at a trickle and keep cabinet doors open to prevent pipes from freezing.
• Never use a stove or oven to heat your home or use an open flame to melt frozen pipes, which could lead to fires.
• Never use a generator near or inside your home.
• Check tire pressure and your car battery.
• Make sure to keep your pets warm and to limit how much time they are outdoors.

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Photo credit: Patrick Mannion via Flickr.com.