Winter Storm Targets Southington: What You Need To Know

SOUTHINGTON, 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.

The National Weather Service on Friday morning said the storm is expected to bring 3 to 7 inches of snow on Sunday, with another 4 to 8 inches of snow on Sunday night into Monday.

The predicted total of 7 to 15 inches of snow, however, could be exceeded, according to some TV forecasters.

Temperatures are also expected to be brutal.

The NWS predicts a high of 22 on Sunday, which will fall into the teens by Sunday night, continuing into Monday, when a high of 24 is expected before another plunge into the single digits on Monday night.

Folks are urged to stay off the roads on Sunday and let the state and local public works staff do their jobs and plow the roads, something that is easier given the timing of the storm.

In Southington, local officials offered up some winter weather safety tips for residents, with the Southington Fire Department pointing out that winter is a time for house fires.

As a result, the SFD urged folks to:

• Keep portable generators outside.

• Install and test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors once a month.

• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from any heat source, be it a wood stove, fireplace, or electric space heater.

• Plug only one heat-producing appliance into an electrical socket at a time.

• Store cooled fireplace ashes in a covered, metal container at least 10 feet from the home.

Cold weather, Storm safety

Meanwhile, the South-Central Health District, which is located in Southington but also serves Plainville and Middlefield, urged people to avoid frostbite and hypothermia.

Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature, while frostbite is the freezing of the skin.

The health department posted a list of symptoms and actions people should undertake if either condition is suspected.

They are available on the department's Facebook page or at this link.

Meanwhile, the health department also posted a list of preparations folks can undertake before, during, and after the storm.

Before: Have emergency supplies ready in home/car, check smoke and carbon monoxide deteectors; and replenish fuel in vehicles/heating sources.

Day Before: Adjust plans, have multiple ways to receive any warnings, bring pets indoors and ensure they have water.

During and After: Check on neighbors and family, properly ventilate emergency heat sources, keep generators 20 feet from homes, and take it easy when shoveling.

Warming centers

In response to Gov. Ned Lamont implementing severe cold-weather protocols, the town announced the opening of its warming centers from Friday, Jan. 23, to Wednesday, Jan. 28.

Southington warming centers are:

• Southington Public Library, 255 Main St.

• Calendar House Senior/Community Center, 388 Pleasant St.

• Southington Police Department, 69 Lazy Lane.

The library and Calendar House are open during regular business hours whle the SPD is open for warming when those two sites are closed.

Parking ban

Southington police said an emergency parking ban will be in effect from Sunday, Jan. 25, at noon through Monday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m.

Parking on any town street during this time is prohibited.

For winter weather safety tips, click on this link.

For the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, click on this link.