Winter Storm in Northern Fairfield, Connecticut

An Emergency Manager in Bethel reported 8 inches of snow. A trained spotter in New Fairfield reported 12 inches of snow. Trained spotters, Amateur Radio, CoCoRaHS, and the public reported 6 to 9 inches of snow.

A wave of low pressure developed along the Middle Atlantic coast during Thursday November 15, 2018. The low was associated with a closed upper level trough across the Midwest. As the trough translated eastward into Friday November 16, 2018, the low pressure moved up the northeast coast. The antecedent air mass ahead of the low was cold and dry for the middle of November with temperatures during the morning and afternoon of November in the upper 20s and low 30s. The moisture associated with the trough and low pressure was able to produce moderate to heavy bands of snow as the precipitation began across the entire Tri-State area due to the cold air in place. Once the low drew warmer air from the south, the precipitation gradually changed to a wintry mix and then plain rain, especially for coastal Connecticut. The moderate to heavy wet snowfall impacted the evening rush hour with 1-2 inch per hour snowfall rates. Numerous accidents were reported in Southern Connecticut and many motorists were stranded on roads until the early morning hours the next morning. Many tree limbs and branches being brought down by the weight of the snow, which also caused power outages.