Winter Storm — Northern New London, Connecticut

2020-12-16 to 2020-12-17 · Northern New London, Connecticut

Event narrative

Trained spotters, COOP Observer, and CoCoRaHS measured 6 to 10 inches of snow. The nearby Groton Airport ASOS measured a 48 mph wind gust at 11:40 am on December 17, 2020.

Wider weather episode

Low pressure developed along the Middle Atlantic coast on Wednesday December 16, 2020. The low deepened as it tracked northward towards Long Island, NY through the night on December 16, 2020. Arctic high pressure situated over southeast Canada provided a cold and dry air mass ahead of the low supporting moderate to locally heavy snowfall at the onset. The low pressure ultimately tracked from near Atlantic City, NJ to about 50 miles south of Fire Island, NY before sliding offshore Thursday December 17, 2020. This track led to a brief period of a wintry mix of snow and sleet across southwest Connecticut and a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and rain across southeast Connecticut during the earlier morning hours on December 17, 2020. Once the low began moving away from Long Island, the wintry mix changed back over to snow and any location that rose above freezing fell significantly below freezing. The storm significantly impacted travel during the evening commute on Wednesday December 16, 2020 and the morning commute on Thursday December 17, 2020. Many accidents resulted from the snow and icy conditions. Snowfall rates ranged from 1 to 2 inches per hour Wednesday evening. Total snowfall ranged from around 6 to 12 inches with locally higher amounts up to 14.5 inches across the northern tier of Fairfield County.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 934994. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.