Governor Dannel P. Malloy has decided that state office buildings will close on Wednesday, November 26, at 12:30 pm due to the anticipated snowstorm that is expected to significantly impact the state. Nonessential state employees will be dismissed at that time.

“After speaking with emergency management officials and assessing the current forecast, I have decided to close state office buildings at 12:30 tomorrow afternoon,” said Governor Malloy. “The more we can get cars off the road before this storm’s real impact is felt, the better our chances are for dealing with whatever Mother Nature throws our way.”

The Connecticut Department of Transportation canceled all planned road work today at 3 pm. to ease congestion and accommodate drivers who are modifying their travel plans and traveling to their holiday destinations tonight instead.

Earlier today at a press conference, the governor advised anyone planning Thanksgiving travel plans Wednesday, to get a head start Tuesday if possible, or wait until Thursday morning when state crews should have most travel routes fully passable.

Governor Malloy said state DOT crews have been readying for a snow event whichis predicted to lay down the heaviest snow cover between late Wednesday morning and early evening.

He will partially activate the state’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 8 am Wednesday morning to monitor storm conditions across the state.

“Activating the EOC will allow us to better coordinate a rapid response to any problems that may arise as the storm moves through the state during the busiest travel day of the year,” continued the Governor.  “I am urging everyone to factor the weather into their travel plans, to make arrangements to reach their destination tonight or Thursday morning if possible, and to use caution and take it slow if you must travel on Wednesday.”

 Also, beginning Wednesday morning, the Connecticut National Guard will begin strength and equipment status reporting from all armories across the state in anticipation of potential missioning throughout the storm period.

Total snowfall is currently forecast to range from 2” to 4” along the immediate coast and southeastern Connecticut, 6” to 10” in the valleys of central and northern Connecticut and up to 14” in the Northwest and Northeast Hills according to the state's latest forecasts.

At the earlier press conference, Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicle Commissioner James Redeker said there are 632 state plow drivers along with 251 contractors ready to launch. The apparatus on activation for Wednesday’s expected storm includes 112 front loaders and more than a dozen massive snow throwers just back from mutual aid loan in snowbound Buffalo, N.Y.

In addition, DOT’s tree clearing crews and related equipment are all on standby. Commissioner Redeker also anticipates Metro North adding service by 1 pm Wednesday as a travel option for motorists concerned about snow-covered roads.

Gov Malloy said he is hoping for minimal traffic on the roads during the peak of the anticipated storm. He anticipated road pretreating will begin Tuesday evening in areas requiring such materials, and extra melting materials on plow crews’ first sweeps as the storm occurs.

Weather Underground is forecasting snow to begin in Newtown at about 7 am Wednesday, and will escalate from 39 percent to 100 percent probability by 10 am. Snow is expected to continue through 10 pm, with probability only dropping to 89 percent through 6 am Thanksgiving morning.

A new network of highway signs will be activated, providing up-to-the-minute accident and incident reports to those forced to head out during the storm on what is traditionally the highest travel day of the year.

Mr Redeker said it was not looking like an extraordinary event, just the first of the winter season.

“It’s the day and we want to be able to give people the best trip possible,” he said.

State Police Lieutenant J. Paul Vance is asking all travelers to be part of the state’s traffic safety team. Gov Malloy said Operation CARE, a directed action, will be in force and will supplement existing schedules of troopers and add a corps of specially trained enforcement officers looking out and conducting spot drunk driving checkpoints.

The governor implored the traveling public to curtail drinking and driving, which generates four of every ten traffic fatalities. He also called for other drivers to call 911 if they suspect a vehicle they see is being operated under the influence.

Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, of the state Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security, noted the extensive amount of tickets and motor vehicle arrests and citations during the 2013 holiday season, including more than 90 injury crashes and several related deaths.

Other public safety officials are reminding drivers to fill up on gas, and to be sure windshield wipers, tires, washer fluid, and vehicle lights and signals are all operating safely.

Winter Storm Warning

The National Weather Service in New York issued a Winter Storm Warning at 11:21 am Tuesday for northern Fairfield County and northern New Haven County. The 24-hour warning will be in effect beginning at 7 am Wednesday, November 26.

The weather service expects “Heavy wet snowfall to impact holiday travel Wednesday and Wednesday night,” the warning said in part.

“The snowfall will significantly impact holiday travel, making driving dangerous at times,” according to NWS.

“A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous. Only travel in an emergency. If you must travel...keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”

Newtown schools are scheduled to have an early release on Wednesday. The Newtown Bee will monitor the storm and issue any cancellations or other weather-related announcements as they are received.

Businesses and organizations that need to change scheduled events are invited to contact The Newtown Bee at 203-426-3141 or editor@thebee.com.