UPDATE: Winter Storm Warning Now Issued for New Canaan

Update: 9:57 a.m.

For a storm that took everyone by surprise as snow total estimates continued to increase for the past 24 hours, it’s only appropriate that they are increasing once again for Fairfield and New Haven counties.

The Winter Weather Advisory has been cancelled and is now replaced with a Winter Storm Warning for Fairfield and New Haven counties, the National Weather Service announced 9:30 a.m. Friday.

The Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 1 p.m. for Fairfield County and until 3 p.m. in New Haven County.

Here is the latest information:
* HAZARD TYPES...MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 4 TO 8 INCHES.

* WINDS...NORTH 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH.

* VISIBILITIES...ONE QUARTER TO ONE HALF MILE AT TIMES.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE LOWER 30S.

* TIMING...MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW THIS MORNING...WILL TAPER OFF
EARLY THIS AFTERNOON.

* IMPACTS...HAZARDOUS TRAVEL DUE TO SNOW AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD... AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

Original story: 7:57 a.m.

The worst of the snowstorm is happening now in Connecticut but the good news is it will end in time for the drive home from work on Friday.

Here is the latest information on how much snow will accumulate and when it will end.

A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for Fairfield, New Haven and Hartford counties where 4 to 6 inches is forecast for Fairfield and New Haven counties and 3 to 5 inches in Hartford County.

In New London, Middlesex and Tolland counties, a Winter Storm Warning is now in effect and snow is expected to accumulate 4 to 8 inches there.

The snow should end in western Connecticut by 12 p.m. by 1 p.m. in the central portion of the state and exits New London County and the state around 2 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Winds will gust up to 30 mph in Connecticut and visibilities will be reduced, the weather service writes. Possible power outages also are a concern and traveling, especially this morning and early afternoon is considered possibly hazardous.

Next Major Storm?

Already, the National Weather Service has issued a “Hazardous Weather Outlook” for a possible Nor’easter on Monday and into most of Tuesday. The weather service predicts that this will be a coastal storm, which could impact the region but the exact track is still uncertain.

As of right now, light snow is predicted to start falling late Monday afternoon in Connecticut, just in time for the evening commute, and it’s forecast to pick up in intensity and last into Tuesday afternoon. Again, we know this forecast will likely change.

Super Bowl Weekend forecast

In a word, the weekend forecast is “amazing.” No snow or rain, sunny skies on Saturday and Sunday and temps near 40 on Saturday and on the day of the big game itself, high temps in the mid 40s.

Photo credit: Barbara Heins.