Winter Storm — Northern Middlesex, Connecticut

2019-01-19 to 2019-01-20 · Northern Middlesex, Connecticut

Event narrative

Broadcast media reported about 0.7 inches of ice accretion in nearby Bethany. Many roads were closed due to trees and wires down from ice accretion in Middlefield, Durham, and Middletown. One fatality occurred in Middletown when a tree fell on a subcontractor as power line repairs were being completed. The nearby Meriden Airport ASOS reported 0.57 inches of ice accretion.

Wider weather episode

Deepening low pressure tracking from the southeast United States on Saturday January 19, 2019 to the northeast on Sunday January 20, 2019. An arctic air mass was located across New England as the storm system approached the region. A warm front associated with the low moved north along the coast early on the morning of January 20 changing snow to sleet and then liquid precipitation. The warmer air battled the arctic air advecting into interior southern Connecticut. However, temperatures remained below freezing through much of the winter storm across creating a significant ice accretion on top of snow accumulation. Many roads were closed due to downed trees and power lines. Several towns were without power for about 24 hours. The Middletown police reported a subcontractor for Eversource was killed by a falling tree on Millbrook Road in Middletown. One injury also occurred in Bethany due to a falling tree limb.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 795342. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.