Heaviest Snow Moving into Stamford Now: UPDATE

UPDATED: 4:57 p.m.

The National Weather Service has just issued a “Special Weather Statement” for all of Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties.

The Blizzard Warning remains in effect for southern Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties for between 1-2 feet of snow. The two feet areas will be west of Bridgeport, the National Weather Service writes.

Northern Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties continue to operate under a Winter Storm Warning for between 10-14 inches of snow.

Here is the latest Special Weather Statement issued by the National Weather Service late Saturday afternoon:

Heavy snow is moving into southern Connecticut now and snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour are expected.

Some snowfall rates of up to 3 inches per hour are possible in isolated incidents.

The heaviest snow for southern Connecticut is expected between 5-7 p.m. with blizzard conditions continuing at the immediate coast, and near blizzard conditions a bit inland.

Related stories:

• Snow Emergency Declared in Stamford
• Metro-North Announces Service Shutdown
• Malloy Monitoring Roads, No Travel Ban Yet for Connecticut
• Blizzard 2016: Snowfall Totals in Connecticut (So Far)

To keep up with the latest Stamford news and weather updates, click here.

UPDATED 12:32 P.M.:

The ever changing forecast is, of course, changing again.

Yes, a Blizzard Warning is still in effect until 7 a.m. Sunday but the projected snow totals are exploding.

In a late morning update, the National Weather Service says communities on the immediate coastline, including southern Fairfield, southern New Haven, southern Middlesex and southern New London counties, will all see a minimum of 12 inches of snow.

The jackpot goes to communities west of Bridgeport which will now see 18-24 inches of snow, and for the rest of us, our consolation prize is 12-18 inches of snow.

See related story: Blizzard 2016: Snowfall Totals in Connecticut (So Far)

Here are some other key notes from the NWS:

* HAZARD TYPES...WIDESPREAD BLIZZARD CONDITIONS...WITH HEAVY SNOW AND POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WINDS CAUSING CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW AND NEAR ZERO VISIBILITIES.

* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 18 TO 24 INCHES WEST OF BRIDGEPORT...AND 12 TO 18 INCHES EAST.

* WINDS...NORTH 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH.

* VISIBILITIES...ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE MID 20S.

* TIMING...THROUGH TONIGHT.

* IMPACTS...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TRAVEL DUE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL AND STRONG WINDS WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS LIKELY. SECONDARY AND TERTIARY ROADS MAY BECOME IMPASSABLE. STRONG WINDS MAY DOWN POWER LINES AND TREE LIMBS.

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UPDATED 8:50 A.M.

Well that escalated quickly last night. What a strange week. Since last Sunday there has been talk of a major Nor’Easter that may impact Connecticut late Friday and into Saturday.

As you know the forecast has changed more than a dozen times between then and now.

Even in the past 48 hours the forecasts have changed dramatically. At one time it appeared we may get just a few inches of snow but then it was upgraded Friday afternoon to six inches and just before midnight the storm was upgraded to what it is now, a Blizzard Warning, which is now in effect as we face more than a foot of snow possibly.

The Blizzard Warning remains in effect until 7 a.m. Sunday for all communities along the Connecticut coastline or I-95 corridor including southern Fairfield, southern New Haven, southern Middlesex, and southern New London counties.

Heavy snow is forecast and “potentially damaging winds,” blowing and drifting snow with near zero visibilities. expected Saturday and Saturday evening.

Snow will accumulate anywhere between 8-12 inches and higher amounts are possible.

Winds will be sustained at 20 to 30 mph with gusts of up to 50 mph and the temps will be in the mid to upper 20s.

Conditions deteriorate as the day moves along.

Travel may be extremely dangerous because of the likelihood of “whiteout conditions” and power outages may be a concern. The National Weather Service urges against traveling unless you have to.

WTNH News 8’s Meteorologist Gil Simmons wrote, “Snow will be picking up steadily through the morning. Heavy snow midday through the afternoon with strong winds and low visibility. I would not advise traveling for the afternoon it will be very difficult to see.”

Snow flurries have now entered the state as of 7 a.m. and Simmons said the snow will really pick up by 11 a.m. and traveling after that time will be difficult.

Updated 12:25 a.m. Jan. 23:

The National Weather Service has issued a “Blizzard Warning” for the Connecticut coastline, which includes southern portions of Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties.

A Winter Storm Warning was issued at 4 p.m. Friday but was upgraded late Friday as the storm track shifted and we’re expected to receive significantly more snow now.

Here are the need to know details:

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM SATURDAY TO 7 AM ESTSUNDAY....

* HAZARD TYPES...HEAVY SNOW ALONG WITH STRONG AND POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WINDS. BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WITH NEAR ZERO VISIBILITIES IS EXPECTED SATURDAY AND SATURDAY EVENING.

* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 10 TO 15 INCHES. LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE.

* WINDS...NORTHEAST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH.

* VISIBILITIES...NEAR ZERO AT TIMES.

* TEMPERATURES...20S.

* TIMING...LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT.

* IMPACTS...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TRAVEL DUE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL AND STRONG WINDS WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS LIKELY. SECONDARY AND TERTIARY ROADS MAY BECOME IMPASSABLE. STRONG WINDS MAY DOWN POWER LINES AND TREE LIMBS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED O OCCURRING. FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS AND POOR VISIBILITIES ARE LIKELY. THIS WILL LEAD TO WHITEOUT CONDITIONS...MAKING TRAVEL EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. DO NOT TRAVEL. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...HAVE A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT WITH YOU. IF YOU GET STRANDED...STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE.

Original story:

We’ll update this guide in real time as we receive news and information.

Residents are strongly encouraged to clear the fire hydrants near their homes if they are covered by snow during a storm in case of an emergency.

In an announcement Friday afternoon, Stamford Mayor David Martin declared a snow emergency that will go into effect at midnight Friday.

Important Links:

Snow Emergency Declared in Stamford

UPDATE: Winter Storm Warning Now Issued for Stamford

‘Near Blizzard Conditions’ in CT : 5 Things to Know

Stamford Patch: News Alerts, Facebook

Latest cancellations:

• Stamford Schools Announce Decision on SAT Test Schedule

Important Phone Numbers

• Emergency: 911
• For non-emergency police situations: Police non-emergency number at 203-977-4444.
• Stamford’s Emergency Hotline is 203-977-9940. The hotline will have important information for residents throughout the storm.

Report Outages and Gas Emergencies

Always assume downed power lines are live and dangerous, and be mindful of natural gas odors. If you see a downed power line or trees touching power lines, or if you need to report an electrical power outage, or if you smell natural gas, call your utility toll-free with the location and any specifics. Keep these numbers handy and programmed into your mobile phone.

• Connecticut Natural Gas: at 866-924-5325
• Eversource: To report a power outage, call Eversource at 1-800-286-2000 or use the “Report an Outage” link at www.eversource.com.

Staying Safe

Safety is always the top priority. Eversource also reminds customers to stay at least 10 feet away from any downed power lines and immediately call 911 to report them. Any customer using a generator should make sure it has been installed properly for their own safety and the safety of line workers restoring power. For important generator safety tips, check out Eversource “Using a Generator Safely” video on YouTube at http://youtu.be/IMD1pZc3EHM.

To see which streets on which parking is banned or there are restrictions, please check it out here by scrolling to the bottom of the story.