With an average of six inches of new snow thanks to Monday’s storm, Newtown and the region are preparing for another storm to arrive on Wednesday, February 5. Superintendent of Schools Dr John Reed has already announced the cancellation of school for Wednesday.

Groups and organizations that need to postpone or cancel events planned for Wednesday, February 5, due to the weather are invited to contact Newtown Bee Associate Editor Shannon Hicks, at (preferred) or 203-426-3141 to get their word out. Do not leave a message regarding cancellations or postponements on The Bee’s voicemail. If no one answers, send an email to Miss Hicks.shannon@thebee.com

In addition, businesses that decide to close early — or even open late — are encouraged to contact Miss Hicks with those details. Announcements will be posted on The Bee’s website, and also sent out through social media, as they arrive.

The February 5 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting has been cancelled, and the February 5 Board of Selectmen meeting was cancelled a few days ago

Weather Expectations

National Weather Service Winter Storm Warnings have been issued for the entire state of Connecticut. All will remain in effect until 6 pm EST February 5.

A winter storm moving across the Midwest eastward through the Northeast will be followed by another plunge of Arctic air into the center of the country, the National Weather Service announced on Tuesday.

Another winter storm is shaping up in the center of the nation and will spread eastward into the Northeast during the short-range forecast period.

The southern New England coast should see snow changing to all rain on Wednesday before the storm ends.  However, farther north in the cold air, areas from the lower Great Lakes eastward through central New England should see a foot or more of snow before the system moves out to sea by Wednesday night.

NWS is giving a 100% chance of precipitation for the Tuesday overnight and Wednesday. Newtown’s detailed forecast expects snow to begin after midnight, with a total night-time snow accumulation of 2-4 inches.

Snow and sleet will continue until noon, then change to freezing rain and sleet. Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 29 degrees on Wednesday.

New ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.2 of an inch is possible, according to NWS; new snow and sleet accumulation will account for another 1-3 inches of accumulation.

A chance of snow will continue into the evening, “mainly before 9 pm.”

Thursday should be mostly sunny with a high near 26 degrees.

State Preparations

In anticipation of the storm, Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced on Tuesday that legislative leaders have agreed to push back the start of the joint legislative session one day due to the pending snow storm.  The joint session will begin at noon on Thursday, at which time the governor will deliver his State of the State Address.

“Given the forecast over the next couple of days, I’ve asked legislative leaders to postpone the start of session until February 6,” said Gov Malloy. “While I hope the storm is not as bad as the predictions suggest, I also don’t want to put anyone in harm’s way.  I want to thank the leaders for accommodating this request.”

Also on Tuesday, the governor announced he would partially activate the state’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at midnight to monitor storm conditions across the state and prepare for the heavy snow forecasted to begin overnight and continue into the late afternoon Wednesday.

 “After speaking with emergency management officials and assessing the current forecast, I am calling for the partial activation of the EOC tonight to better coordinate a rapid response to any problems that may arise during the height of the storm,” said Gov Malloy. “Beginning early tomorrow morning, this storm is forecasted to produce very heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain causing low visibility and deteriorating driving conditions. I am urging everyone to exercise caution if they must travel tomorrow.”

 Total snowfall is currently forecast to range from 4-6 inches along the coast, 5-9 inches across most of the state, and up to 12 inches in the Northwest Hills, according to the governor’s office. The Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) is also coordinating with the state’s utilities regarding their preparedness for this storm in the event power restoration is needed.

 The EOC will be staffed with representatives from DEMHS, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Health, Division of the State Police, Connecticut National Guard, and Fire/Rescue Coordination.