Winter Weather Advisory Issued for Westport

By Brian McCready (Patch Staff)

It’s only fitting after the winter we’ve had that snow is in the forecast for the first day of spring.

The National Weather Service has issued a “Winter Weather Advisory” for Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties from 6 a.m., Friday to 2 a.m., Saturday.

A “Hazardous Weather Outlook” has also been issued for Hartford and Tolland counties.

A total of 2 to 4 inches of snow is forecast for the advisory counties, while 2 to 3 inches is forecast for Hartford and Tolland counties. Higher amounts are possible in certain areas.

Timing

The National Weather Service predicts snow will begin falling as soon as the morning commute in parts of the state, and continue through Friday’s commute home from work for the areas when an advisory has been posted.

For Hartford and Tolland counties snow will start later and isn’t expected to pick up in intensity until late afternoon and evening on Friday.

WTNH News 8 Meteorologist Gil Simmons writes snow should begin around noon and blanket the entire state by 3 p.m. He predicts communities closest to the shoreline, especially those communities closer to the New York line in Fairfield County will receive the most snow, possibly 5 inches or more.

Simmons predicts the heaviest snow falls between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday. He also writes it’s possible some schools will have an early dismissal on Friday.

The National Weather Service writes hazardous travel conditions are possible due to reduced visibility and snow covered roads.

NBC Connecticut Meteorologist Darren Sweeney writes “the first hours of spring will feature.. Snow. ( it hurts to even type this)

“Friday: it looks like snow begins during the afternoon and could become moderate to even heavy for a time during the evening. Tough to accumulate during the daytime this time of year but we have a shot at it, especially since the heaviest comes around the time the sun sets.

“Cruel for the first day of spring? YES!

“IT SHOULD BE WORTH REMINDING ... this time of year any slight shifts and any subtle changes can mean big big changes, often times leading to busted forecasts. This is not a lock by any stretch. Snow wraps Friday night, near 40° over the weekend.”

Here’s the Westport-specific forecast from the National Weather Service (as of the 10:52 a.m. update):

• Thursday afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 36. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. Northwest wind 11 to 13 mph.
• Thursday night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 22. Light and variable wind.
• Friday: Snow, mainly after noon. High near 33. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. East wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
• Friday night: Snow likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 27. North wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
• Saturday: A slight chance of snow before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Saturday night: A slight chance of rain showers before midnight, then a slight chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.
• Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21.
• Monday: Sunny, with a high near 38.
• Monday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.
• Tuesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.