After a major storm blankets Connecticut with more than a foot of snow beginning Sunday, arctic air will create dangerously cold conditions that poses health and safety risks to anyone exposed to the bitter cold.
Temperatures are set to plunge across the state on Sunday with a high of 16 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 13 degrees. On Monday, temperatures are expected drop even more, with a low of 2 degrees, according to AccuWeather.
Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be the coldest days of the week. Tuesday will see a high of 19 degrees and a low of minus 15 and, on Wednesday, the state will see a high of 21 degrees and a low of minus 7 degrees. Single digit temperatures will persist into Thursday, Friday and into next weekend. The cold snap is expect to continue into next Monday.
According to AccuWeather’s forecast, temperatures are not expected to reach above freezing in Connecticut until Feb. 2.
Gov. Ned Lamont has activated the state’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol until noon on Wednesday. Officials said the purpose of the state’s severe cold weather protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the cold, which could be life-threatening if they are exposed to the elements for an extended period of time. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies and municipalities to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to make sure that anyone in need can receive shelter, including transportation to shelters.
“We’re about to experience some of the coldest weather Connecticut has had in quite a while, and it cannot be stressed enough that temperatures this low can be fatal if someone is outside for too long,” Lamont said in a statement.
Lamont also announced on Saturday that he is ordering a virtual, partial activation of the Connecticut Emergency Operations Center beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday. The EOC will help monitor conditions from the winter storm that is expected to impact the state throughout the day and into Monday. The EOC is the state’s central emergency management hub, where state leaders, agencies and partners coordinate information, resources and strategies to manage emergency situations.
“This is shaping up to be a significant snowfall that will impact travel all day and night on Sunday and continuing into Monday,” Lamont said. “I am strongly urging everyone in Connecticut to pick a safe location where you can shelter in place starting on Sunday morning and remain there for at least the next 24 hours until the storm passes. Driving in these conditions, especially during the height of the storm when we will experience whiteout situations that make visibility very limited, will be extremely dangerous.”
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.
The state Department of Transportation said 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 also 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.
Across the state Saturday shoppers stripped some store shelves bare, store employees bustled about refilling them and state residents discussed the storm and its impact, many offering comments such as “drive safe,” or “stay safe” to others.
CT prepped for first major snowstorm of 2026. Six hundred plows to be deployed.
Cold weather safety requires layering clothing, staying hydrated, and limiting exposure to prevent frostbite and hypothermia, according to health experts. Frostbite can develop on exposed skin in as little as five to 10 minutes in extreme conditions, particularly with wind chills around or below minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, At temperatures around zero degrees, with a moderate wind, frostbite can occur within 30 minutes, according to health experts.
Dr. Alfred Croteau, an acute care surgeon with Hartford HealthCare, said that the next week in Connecticut will bring dangerous cold weather that can cause frostbite in about 15 minutes. Croteau said that the majority of cold weather injuries come from people who fall asleep outside, people who are impaired, or people who get stranded in their vehicles.
“This kind of weather is very dangerous for frostbite and hypothermia,” Croteau said. “When it’s this cold, the weather doesn’t discriminate against age or demographic. Anybody can receive damage with these temperatures even healthy adult men and women. Some injuries can even go unrecognized for a little bit. The body slows down and starts to become numb in severe cold. So sometimes you don’t know that damage is being done to cells in your body.”
Croteau said that health care providers tend to see more cold-related injuries like frostbite because people are not properly dressed for winter weather. In freezing cold temperatures with wind chill, he said that every part of the body should be covered, as exposure can be dangerous. Hats, gloves, thick jackets and layers of clothes should be worn while outdoors. Fingers, toes, and ears are most susceptible to getting frostbite. The condition is characterized by tissue and cells freezing, leading to permanent damage. Skin that looks pale or feels waxy is a telltale sign of the early stages of frostbite, Croteau said.
“The problem is that we are getting very dangerous temperatures right after a major snowstorm, so people will be outside clearing snow,” Croteau said. “The chances for cold injuries go up when people are outside for a prolonged period. In addition, the stress from shoveling and the freezing cold, actually makes your heart beat faster.
“This can increase cardiac risk and raise the chances of heart attacks in some people. We also expect conditions to be icy, which raises risks from falls,” he said. “When you start to feel numb or begin shivering uncontrollably, it is important to immediately go indoors and warm up.”
Hypothermia is a condition that occurs when core body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. In hypothermia, the body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature.
Some early warning signs include shivering, slurred speech or mumbling, slow, shallow breathing, weak pulse and clumsiness or lack of coordination, according to the Mayo Clinic. The final stages of hypothermia can include impaired judgement, a false feeling of warmth and unconsciousness followed by death.
“Hypothermia can induce a perception of feeling warm, it’s almost like feeling drunk, you’re not actually warm,” Croteau said. “It’s not that you’re actually warmer, it’s that brain is slowing down and losing consciousness. If you’re experiencing some confusion after spending time outside, it is important to seek immediate medical care. Most people who get hypothermia, do not know they are experiencing symptoms.”
The Department of Consumer Protection is also reminding people of safety tips ahead of the impending winter storm this weekend. If you experience a prolonged power outage, it is important to remember the following tips for storing medication and food and for staying warm in your home.
- If the power is out for more than a day, throw out any refrigerated medication unless the drug label says otherwise.
- Temperature-sensitive medication loses its effectiveness if not refrigerated and should be replaced with a new supply as soon as possible.
- If someone’s life is dependent on medication, use until new supply is available.
- Before the storm, freeze containers of water and gel packs to help keep food cold if the power goes out. In a pinch, food can be placed in plastic bins or coolers and kept outside if temperatures are below 38 degrees Fahrenheit for refrigerated food or below freezing for frozen food.
- Clean snow in plastic bags or food storage containers can also be used as ice packs. If you place food outside, keep out of direct sunlight and away from areas that can be accessed by animals.
- Have a supply of bottled water and coolers on hand.
- Keep the refrigerator closed as much as possible. The refrigerator will remain cold for about four hours, if unopened. A full freezer will maintain its temperature for 48 hours.
Anyone looking for a shelter or warming center can visit 211ct.org or call 211 to find available locations. Transportation can be provided if necessary.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at [email protected].