Winter Weather Advisory Issued for North Branford

The National Weather Service’s forecast for the first winter storm of the year for Connecticut continues to change, and this latest change means it’s officially the first storm of the year for everyone.

On Sunday afternoon, a Winter Weather Advisory was issued for all of Connecticut minus the immediate Connecticut coastline from Greenwich to New London.

But early Monday morning the National Weather Service has issued a “Winter Weather Advisory” for the entire state of Connecticut from 8 p.m. Monday until Tuesday morning or afternoon, depending on where you live.

The biggest complication from this storm won’t be the snow, which will barely be noticeable, it’s the timing of the expected precipitation and the belief it will have an impact on Tuesday’s commute to work.

Here is a detailed breakdown of what to expect throughout the state of Connecticut:

For southern Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties: The advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday and begins 8 p.m. Monday. The hazard is largely for sleet and freezing rain. We’re only expecting a trace of snow and ice accumulation. The change over to plain rain is forecast for 6 a.m. Tuesday.

An advisory was issued because roadways and sidewalks will be slippery.

For northern Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties: The advisory is in effect until 11 a.m. Tuesday. The main hazard is for sleet and freezing rain but here there can be a snow accumulation of up to 1 inch and a trace amount of ice. The weather service predicts a prolonged period of sleet and light freezing rain, which will make travel and walking difficult.

For Hartford and Tolland counties: The weather advisory remains in effect until 1 p.m. because the sub-freezing temps will hold out longer there. Here we can expect between 1 to 3 inches of snow accumulation along with a trace of ice.

Snow begins around midnight and mixes in with some sleet and freezing rain by daybreak but it doesn’t change over to plain rain until the afternoon.

“Impacts….dangerous travel conditions...especially for the Tuesday morning commute,” the weather service states.