Connecticut Weather: Snow Accumulation Estimates Rise Thursday

*****Wednesday Morning Update: CLICK HERE: Warnings, Watches Issued, 'Bomb Cyclone' To Clobber CT With Snow

Everyone hates it when weather is over-hyped, but Thursday's storm merits hype. The Washington Post on Tuesday called the storm that is forming off the east coast a "Bomb cyclone," which is a fancy way of saying it's the equivalent of a major hurricane. They also used other adjectives such as "monster" and "exploding" storm.

What still remains uncertain is how much of a direct impact Connecticut will see from this mighty storm. As of Tuesday night, it appears areas to the east of Connecticut will experience the full force of the storm/blizzard. But snow accumulation estimates for Connecticut are already increasing this evening for Thursday's storm.

Clearly those locations in the eastern end of Connecticut will see the greatest impacts, but we will all see accumulating snow throughout the day Thursday. As for the timeline of the snow/wind, it's looking like it enters the state after midnight Wednesday, and the moderate-to-heavy snowfall before the Thursday morning commute should end at about 8 p.m. that evening. (See below for a detailed timeline and accumulation estimate via the National Weather Service.)

Once the snow departs, temperatures will crash and the wind will continue to gust Friday. A Winter Storm Watch has already been issued for the coast of Middlesex and all of New London counties. Between 5 and 8 inches of snow is expected here, the National Weather Service said.

Most of the state will see between 3-6 inches of snow, though the Danbury area may see slightly less, according to the National Weather Service. Tolland County may also see between 5 and 8 inches of snow.

WTNH News 8 Meteorologist Fred Campagna‏ said, "My big concern is that the Thursday storm comes close enough to cause power outages and leave some without heat when this extreme cold arrives."

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For areas along the coast of Fairfield County:

Wednesday Night: Snow likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 26. Wind chill values between 5 and 10. Blustery, with a northwest wind 13 to 18 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before 9pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 7. Blustery, with a northwest wind 20 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

For areas near the Danbury Metro area:

Wednesday Night: Snow likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Calm wind becoming north 5 to 7 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 24. Wind chill values between 5 and 10. North wind 8 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

For areas along the coast of New Haven County:

Wednesday Night: Snow likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Light and variable wind becoming north 8 to 13 mph in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday: Snow. High near 28. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Blustery, with a northwest wind 13 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow before midnight. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 10. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

For inland areas of New Haven County:

Wednesday Night: Snow likely, mainly after midnight. Increasing clouds, with a steady temperature around 23. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday: Snow. High near 27. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Blustery, with a north wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9. Northwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Middlesex County:

Wednesday Night: Snow likely, mainly after midnight. Increasing clouds, with a low around 19. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Calm wind becoming north 5 to 8 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday: Snow. High near 26. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Blustery, with a north wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. Northwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

New London County:

Wednesday Night: Snow likely, mainly after midnight. Increasing clouds, with a steady temperature around 26. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. Light and variable wind becoming north 9 to 14 mph in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Thursday: Snow. High near 30. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Blustery, with a north wind 15 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Thursday Night: Snow likely, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. Northwest wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Hartford County:

Wednesday Night: A chance of snow, mainly after 1am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 18. Calm wind becoming north 5 to 8 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 23. Blustery, with a north wind 11 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 48 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Thursday Night: A chance of snow before midnight, then a slight chance of snow showers between midnight and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. West wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 47 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tolland County:

Wednesday Night: Snow likely, mainly after 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. Calm wind becoming northeast 5 to 8 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 21. Blustery, with a north wind 14 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Thursday Night: A chance of snow before midnight, then a slight chance of snow showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 5. Blustery, with a west wind 16 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Image via Accuweather.com