State officials are bracing for a major winter storm that is expected to dump more than a foot of snow across Connecticut, as workers gear up and ready equipment for what they are say will be a massive cleanup effort to clear roads.
According to AccuWeather meteorologists, heavy snow is expected this weekend with accumulations between 12 and 17 inches on Sunday through Monday. Much of southern New England is expected to impacted. The snow is expected to begin around 7 a.m. on Sunday and continue until 8 p.m. on Monday.
Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous, according to officials. Travel could be very difficult to nearly impossible, especially if traveling overnight into the Monday morning commute. Near blizzard whiteout conditions are expected Sunday night into Monday, making driving extremely difficult.
The state’s Department of Transportation said that they are deploying 600 plows and 900 drivers across the state during the storm. An additional 200 on-call contractors have been notified to be on stand-by for potential deployment to support DOT crews. The DOT said that 200 utility crews will also be deployed across the state to help repair any critical infrastructure, including state owned electrical grids, water, sewage and communication systems.
“We will place the call for the additional contractors Sunday morning. They have already been notified to be on standby,” DOT commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said at a press conference Friday. “Our DOT workers are spread out across the state at our four districts. Each crew continues to work their roads and coverage they are responsible for. We deploy the additional contractors where we think the needs are. So if the northwest corner is going to see more snow, those crews will be sent there until those roads are cleared.”
Eucalitto said that the state is not pre-treating the roads ahead of the storm since they already have a lot of salt residue on them. He said the DOT’s focus ahead of the storm is preparing equipment and loading materials used for infrastructure repair.
“We want our crews to rest on Saturday, because a few hours before the snow starts on Sunday morning, our crews will get called in and work 36 to 48 hours before they see home again,” Eucallitto said. “The big thing is going to be clearing the roads after the fact. So once the lanes are plowed down to pavement and you see blacktop, then they will have to clear off the shoulders. There is a difference when you talk four inches to 10 inches. Two inches per hour means our plows can’t keep up with that. They will need to take rest breaks and then get back out there and start working again.”
Eversource, the state’s largest electric provider, said it has enhanced staffing levels to deal with any outages to the electric grid. A spokesperson with the company said Eversource doesn’t believe the storm will have any major impacts on the electric grid given current weather models. Forecasts show the storm will not produce heavy winds and that the snow will not be wet and dense, preventing widespread tree damage. Out of precaution, Eversource said it brought in a few dozen outside contractor crews, who are local within the state, to be on standby if needed.
“With a significant snowstorm expected this weekend, followed by extreme cold, we’re continuing to closely monitor the forecast and preparing accordingly,” the Eversource spokesperson said. “As always, we’ll have crews around the state ready to respond as quickly and safely as possible to any potential damage or power outages and have enhanced staffing levels. While we don’t anticipate major statewide impacts to the electric system based on the forecast and expected consistency of the snow, periods of heavy snowfall could create challenging travel and work conditions for our crews in the field.”
United Illuminating, with around 340,000 customers in the state, also said it is not expecting significant impacts to its electric system due to the forecasted dry consistency of the snow, low winds and little to no anticipated ice conditions, according to the company.
The forecasted speed of snowfall on Sunday, between one to two inches per hour, is expected to create travel hazards. As whiteout conditions are expected, car crashes impacting utility poles are a concern for utility providers. A spokesperson with the company said UI plans to enhance its operations with additional line crews, substation crews, vegetation management crews and logistics staff through the weekend.
“As we always are, no matter what nature has in store for us this weekend, UI is ready to respond as quickly and safely as possible on behalf of our customers,” UI president and CEO Frank Reynolds said in a statement. “We encourage customers to consider implementing some of the resources provided on our website and take advantage of the opportunity to prepare today in the event of power outages on Sunday or Monday.”
Gov. Ned Lamont urged caution during the storm and asked drivers to stay off roads on Sunday and early Monday as DOT crews work to clear potentially dangerous road conditions. Lamont and the state’s emergency management and transportation teams said they are closely monitoring weather forecasts ahead of the storm.
“By noon on Sunday we are expecting snowfall to come down at very fast rates and continuing throughout the afternoon and evening and into the early hours of Monday morning, significantly impacting roads and creating whiteout conditions at times,” Lamont said. “We are strongly urging everyone to make plans in advance to avoid all unnecessary travel on Sunday. Our state snowplow fleet is prepared to clear the roads, and the fewer cars are out there the quicker and safer the snowplow crews can do their work.”
Several cities have announced parking bans including Hartford and New Haven. Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam said he will activate a snow parking ban on Saturday at 8 p.m. continuing into Monday. The city has designated blue light lots as free parking areas for residents during citywide snow parking bans, indicated by illuminated blue lights on traffic signals.
“We’re expecting over 10 inches of snow beginning Saturday evening and continuing into Sunday,” Arulampalam said. “Our public works team is standing by to keep our roads clear and safe during the snowstorm, but we need your help to make our snow cleaning operation as easy as possible. Please get your cars into your driveway, or to a blue light lot, city lot or school lot, and for your own safety, please stay off the streets as much as you can.”
Hartford’s trash and recycling pickup will proceed on its regular delayed schedule.
To ensure road safety during a snow storm, officials are urging caution and offering drivers the following tips:
- Delay travel if possible: Staying home during the storm is the safest option.
- Slow down: Reduce speed and allow extra time to stop on snow or ice-covered roads.
- Leave extra space: Increase following distance between vehicles, especially behind snowplows.
- Be vehicle-ready: Keep fuel tanks full or electric vehicles charged and ensure tires and lights are in good condition.
- Pack emergency supplies: Carry blankets, water, food, a flashlight, a phone charger and a first aid kit.
- Stay informed: Monitor forecasts and check real-time traffic and road conditions at CTroads.org before traveling.
- Never drive impaired: Winter conditions demand full attention and alertness at all times.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at [email protected].