Alerts

Weather Alert – Friday, Feb 12, 2016

The National Weather Service has already issued a wind chill warning for most of the state.  A wind chill watch goes into effect Saturday afternoon through Sunday afternoon.
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“This weekend we will have to deal with the harshest weather of the winter season,” said meteorologist Scot Haney. “We are talking about bitterly cold weather that could be life-threatening to us and our pets if proper precautions are not taken.”
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Haney said the temps will be the result of the polar vortex entering southern New England.  “For a while Saturday, temperatures will hold steady in the single digits and teens, but they trend downward during the afternoon as the core of the cold air approaches southern New England,” he said.
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Winds could gust up to 40 mph or higher, which would send wind chill readings down from -5 to -25.  “The actual air temperature will plunge to -5 to -20 Saturday night,” Haney warned. “Wind chill readings will likely plummet to -15 to -30.”
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On Sunday, temps will rise no higher than the low and middle teens. With the wind, wind chills could once again read between -15 and -30 on Sunday morning.
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For a list of warming centers, head here.
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There is the possibility of record cold on both weekend days. The Feb. 13 record for the greater Hartford area is -7, which was set in 1967. For Bridgeport, it’s -2, also set in 1967. For Valentine’s Day, greater Hartford’s record is -9 from 1979. In Bridgeport, it’s 3, which was set it 2015. The latter will likely be broken.  “While there is a chance for a lingering snow shower or snow squall Saturday morning, most of the weekend will be dry,” Haney said.
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Temps could rise into the 30s for Monday thanks to a warm front. Then, the state could have to contend with a significant coastal storm Monday into Tuesday. “For now we expect snow Monday night and early Tuesday morning,” Haney forecasted. “Snow should change to sleet, freezing rain, then rain during the daytime hours Tuesday.”