CT Weather: National Weather Service Finally Lowers Snow Totals

It took 12 hours but the National Weather Service has finally dropped its snow estimates significantly. Additionally, a Winter Storm Warning for Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties has been cancelled and replaced with a Winter Weather Advisory.

Here are the new projections from the National Weather Service. Fairfield County is expected to receive 3 to 6 inches of snow, New Haven County, 4 to 8 inches of snow, Middlesex and New London counties, 4 to 8 inches.

For Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties, 2 to 4 inches of snow is expected and possibly six inches near the Interstate 84 corridor. Litchfield County is expected to receive 4 to 8 inches of snow.

On social media Wednesday, Connecticut’s meteorologists have been verbally beaten up over the snowstorm that wasn’t, at least up until now. However, it must be noted that Connecticut meteorologists' estimates have been half of what the National Weather Service suggested we’d see. At one point today the National Weather Service was saying Fairfield County could receive 12 to 18 inches of snow. Clearly, that didn't or isn't happening.

Also, Connecticut’s meteorologists all agreed that there would be less snow in northern Connecticut and that the snow wouldn’t start until the evening there. Despite all of that, their estimates like everyone’s was way too high (just like the rent.)

Here are some examples of criticisms aimed at local meteorologists on social media. One person wrote to Hanrahan, "Lastly, why do you have to be on the screen every 2 minutes to keep telling us you and your team do not know what you are talking about!!!"

In one tirade on social media, a commenter uses expletives and says to Hanrahan on Twitter, "Never right. Where is your meterologist degree from. I'm calling the GM asap. You r always wrong! 8-12 inches? Raining in New Haven . You don't even have a degree. I'm checking all of you idiots. Promise."

Hanrahan calmly replies and wishes this person "have a nice day."

Numerous people took to social media to berate local meteorologists directly on social media and each time they received a calm response.

While several people criticized meteorologists, several people offered support and encouragement on what had to be a difficult day.

Frank also received words of encouragement for how she politely dealt with people.

Back to the snow, as of 7 p.m. snow is finally falling in many parts of the state and is expected to continue overnight and taper off around dawn. If we actually receive accumulating snow it may lead to school delays and or possibly cancellations in the morning.

But this picture below is still funny.

One might call the National Weather Service stubborn as they continue to insist that Connecticut will still see significant snow accumulation tonight. Yes, the weather service has reduced its original snow estimates from this morning, which called for possibly 12 to 18 inches in certain spots.

While there has been a reduction in snow estimates, the weather service believes plowable snow is still coming later tonight. We’ll see. I think we're all a bit skeptical at this point. Connecticut’s meteorologists have also significantly cut back snow totals, especially in northern Connecticut.

In a late afternoon update, the National Weather Service posted new snow estimates for the rest of tonight.

Here goes, seemingly “Take 10.” Fairfield County, 6 to 9 inches of snow, New Haven County, 7 to 10 inches, Middlesex and New London counties, 8 to 11 inches, Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties, 5 to 9 inches of snow, and Litchfield County, 4 to 8 inches.

Winds will gust at times to around 40 mph, which could lead to some power outages, the weather service says. The snow is expected to start up again after 8 p.m. and continue overnight and end early Thursday morning.

And it's clear that Connecticut's meteorologists continue to disagree with the National Weather Service's snow estimates.

Fox 61 Meteorologist Dan Amarante explains why the heavy snow didn't pan out.

And Hanrahan said this was a very difficult storm to predict.

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Connecticut is still waiting for this alleged heavy snow to come down and it appears we'll be waiting for awhile and some places may never end up seeing it. It now looks like the heavy snow won't begin until tonight and this afternoon won't be too problematic, according to NBC Connecticut Meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan. The good news is that the evening commute home shouldn't be too problematic.

Hanrahan said light snow and sleet will diminish this afternoon and it is expected to pick up again after 7 p.m. tonight. Connecticut is still expecting a burst of heavy snow, but it hasn't happened as of yet.

WFSB 3 TV Meteorologist Mark Dixon‏ said he has begun to reduce snow accumulation estimates, primarily due to a significant amount of dry air, which is making the falling snow evaporate before it hits the ground.

WTNH News 8 Meteorologist Sam Kantrow also shows a reduction in snow accumulation in places.

The National Weather Service as of 12:30 p.m. hasn't made any changes to its snow accumulation estimates. It still predicts 10 to 15 inches for New Haven and Middlesex counties and inland areas of New London County, and 12 to 18 inches for Fairfield County. For the New London County coast, 6 to 12 inches of snow is forecast by the National Weather Service. For Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties, 5 to 9 inches of snow is forecast and in Litchfield County up to six inches of snow is possible, according to the National Weather Service.

However, in light of the later start, especially in Southern Connecticut, and the dry air it seems hard to fathom that Connecticut will come close to the snow totals projected by the National Weather Service. Once the weather service updates its snow estimates, we'll add them in.

Meteorologists say this was a very challenging forecast.

Original story: If the National Weather Service is correct, the big winner from a snow accumulation standpoint will be Fairfield County, followed closely by New Haven and Middlesex counties and inland areas of New London County. Snow will still be falling in Hartford, Tolland, Windham, and Litchfield counties but certainly not as much as the southern part of the state. Coastal areas of New London county are expected to see a wintry mix at times, which will reduce snow accumulation.

From a timeline standpoint, very light snow will break out this morning, largely in Southern Connecticut and the snow is expected to be very heavy this afternoon and evening. The snow won't taper off until after midnight, which will make it interesting to see if schools cancel tomorrow.

In northern Connecticut, it will take awhile for snow to get there and the snow isn't expected to be a major concern until this evening.

Here are the latest details on how much snow to expect based on where you live. For Fairfield County, 12 to 18 inches of snow is expected. Winds could gust to 40 mph at times. Travel is not recommended this evening, the weather service says.

For New Haven and Middlesex counties and inland areas of New London county, 10 to 15 inches of snow is expected. Wind gusts could approach 40 mph and one again travel is not recommended this evening.

For the coast of New London County, 6 to 12 inches of some is expected and some sleet will mix in too. The precipitation will begin as a wintry mix and change to all snow later tonight. Winds will gust to 45 mph.

For Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties, 5 to 9 inches of snow is expected and most of the accumulating snow here doesn't begin until after 5 p.m. today.

For Litchfield County, only 3 to 7 inches of snow are expected in northern areas and 6 to 10 inches is possible in southern sections of the county.

Today, Metro-North will operate reduced service and if conditions worsen, service suspensions are possible for customer safety. Amtrak will also be operating a modified service today.

WTNH News 8 Meteorologist Gil Simmons said Wednesday morning that "Snow on the way. Tough to stick this morning. Heavier later in the afternoon & tonight. I am concerned about power issues so keep your phone charged. Some coastal flooding with tide levels 2’ above normal. Tapering 4-6AM Thursday. 7” average.

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