Winter Storm Targets New Canaan: Latest Forecast, Cancellations, How To Prepare

NEW CANAAN, CT — A major winter storm is barreling toward Connecticut Sunday into Monday, with the possibility of a foot or more of snow amid nasty, biting cold, according to the latest weather forecasts.

Local Weather

Southern Connecticut is expected to get between eight and 14 inches, with locally higher amounts possible. Sleet may mix in with the snow in southern areas of the state, reducing the total accumulation, the National Weather Service said. Coastal Connecticut is expected to get the lower end of the range.

A winter storm watch is in effect for early Sunday through Monday afternoon.

Travel is expected to be difficult, with hazardous road conditions and reduced visibility, and the National Weather Service advises delaying any travel if possible.

While Saturday is currently expected to be mostly sunny and cold, the latest forecast as of Friday morning calls for snow on Sunday starting around 1 a.m.

The snow could be heavy at times. High near 25. Northeast wind 5 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible, according to the forecast.

Snow is expected to continue Sunday night into Monday. (A full forecast for southern Connecticut can be viewed here.)

Information from the Office of Emergency Management

Emergency Management Director Russ Kimes shared the following information for New Canaan residents Friday on Facebook regarding the upcoming winter storm:

The National Weather Service is forecasting with high confidence a 12-16 inch snowfall beginning Sunday morning and continuing through the overnight into Monday morning. At this time snow is the primary concern, followed by extreme cold temperatures for week of the 26th.

The town of New Canaan has had coordination meetings with our own municipal team, non governmental partners as well as regional and state counterparts and we are prepared for the event.

We ask for your help by keeping off the roads unless it is a true emergency during the snowstorm, as well as removing parked cars from roadways and municipal parking lots where possible. The transfer station will be closed on Monday to free up additional crews and equipment to clear snow in town.

The New Canaan Library will be available as a warming shelter following the storm. Their hours can be found on their website newcanaanlibrary.org and are subject to change based upon conditions Sunday and Monday. They will have normal hours of operation for the rest of the week. Anyone who has an emergency should call 911. Those with non-emergency shelter needs can contact New Canaan Human Services at 203-594-3076.

We will likely be providing an additional update on Sunday as we have more information on the impacts to town.

Stay Safe New Canaan

Transfer Station Closed

Emergency Management Director Russ Kimes announced Friday on Facebook the transfer station will be closed Monday, Jan. 26, to free up additional crews and equipment to clear snow in town.

School Cancelations

As of Friday afternoon, New Canaan Public Schools has not announced any school closures for Monday, Jan. 26. If a cancelation or delay is announced, it should be posted to the district's website and/or Facebook page.

New Canaan Public Works Winter Operations

Last month, the town posted a breakdown of New Canaan's winter operations procedures to its website.

According to town officials, New Canaan has 125 miles of roads (which equates to approximately 250 lane miles) in town which are divided into 12 separate plow route sections.

The post notes there are many variables and each storm is different, so there is no set way to fight each storm. While the major factors are timing (rush hour, school, etc.) and duration, other factors include equipment breakdowns, temperatures at the start and during the storm, and wind.

The most critical factor is temperature of the pavement. Road sensors are installed in all of the town's trucks, which provide drivers with the ability to monitor pavement and air temperatures during the storm. This allows them to modify their application of de-icing salts and liquids according to the data they are receiving, according to the town.

New Canaan's Current Framework of Operation

Prior to initial snowfall, an application of treated salt is applied on every road and parking lot to help break the bond between snow and pavement. This allows the snow to insulate the salt and activates it, especially in colder temperatures, which reduces the amount of salt used, according to the town.

Once plowing, New Canaan focuses on all main roads reapplying salt as needed especially on hills, stops and intersections. The town then focuses on its secondary roads, reapplying salt as needed.

Once the snow stops, the town begins its final clean up – re-opening all roads, pushing snow back to the curb, cleaning-up cul-de-sacs and parking lots and reapplying salt as needed. Barring major equipment breakdowns or other issues, the town needs 6 to 8 hours after snow stops falling to complete its work, according to the post.

Residential Contractors and Plowing

One issue that slows the town's operations, causes repeat work and makes the town's roadways unsafe after they are plowed is when residents have their driveways plowed by contractors who plow the snow into and across the street, town officials noted.

According to the town, the following portion of our the Town Code applies to this situation:

Town Code Section 54-14 Throwing snow or ice into streets.

"No person shall lay, throw, place or cause to be laid, thrown or placed any snow or ice into any highway within the town."

Any residents with concerns or questions is asked to contact the Department of Public Works at 203-594-3054 or email Tiger.Mann@newcanaanct.gov.

Resources Available in New Canaan

Important information is often posted to the town's website, available here, and Facebook page, available here.

Further Information

• For winter weather safety tips, click on this link.
• For the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, click on this link.