Blizzard — Northern New London, Connecticut

2022-01-29 · Northern New London, Connecticut

Event narrative

Numerous hours of 1/4 mile visibility with gusts over 35 mph with heavy snowfall as indicated by ASOS in areas with similar radar returns, and wind and snow reports verified blizzard conditions across New London County. Peak wind gusts of 57 mph was reported at NDBC 2 S Groton, 57 mph at Stonington Outer Breakwater, and 65 mph at USGC Academy mesonet north of New London. Numerous reports of snow drifts to 3 and a half feet. There were also numerous snowfall reports of 20 inches or more.

Wider weather episode

A Nor'easter tracked just east of the benchmark bringing high snowfall totals and strong winds. The highest snowfall totals occurred primarily across eastern sections, with blizzard conditions verified for New London County. Widespread wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph were reported across Connecticut, with the strongest gusts from New Haven on east where gusts up to and over 57 mph were reported. Blowing and drifting of snow resulted in drifts of over 3 feet across eastern sections especially. Widespread amounts of 12 to 18 inches fell across the eastern half of Southern Connecticut, with amounts mostly 12 inches or less across New Haven and Fairfield counties. The highest snowfall occurred across New London County with multiple reports of over 20 inches.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 996975. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.