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“The roads are going to be slippery [Monday], there is no doubt,” said Gary Lessor, assistant director of the Weather Center at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury. “I’m predicting widespread school closings.”
According to Lessor, weather models are predicting 4 to 6 inches of wintry precipitation across Southern Fairfield County and 5 to 10 inches in the towns north of the Merritt Parkway.
Snow began falling across parts of the area Sunday, with the storm expected to strengthen in the overnight hours with more snow, freezing rain and ice. It is the third Monday in a row with heavy snow in the forecast.
Anticipation of the Sunday-to-Monday storm left ice melt supplies low and snow shovels scarce at Home Depot on Kings Highway Cutoff in Fairfield.
Local Realtor Judy Higgins stopped by the home improvement store to pick up salt for a home she has on the market in West Haven.
“I hope we don’t get hit too bad,” the 38-year Fairfield resident said. “These storms are always on Monday. If you don’t like Mondays, it’s a great excuse to take the day off.”
The recent string of winter storms are odd, Higgins said, and have created more work for Realtors, who have their clients' properties on top of their own to keep clear of snow.
However, Lessor said the three-week streak isn’t out of the ordinary, in fact, “it’s just how weather patterns work.”
“This is actually typical, where you get into a pattern like this,” Lessor said. “We’re already predicting another storm in the forecast for Thursday.”
Although Lessor said the hope is that this particular pattern is “three weeks and done,” he said it may not be the case for the tri-state area. He added, there is a possibility for a storm next Sunday, “however, early indications are that is not the case.”
Although school closings and delays had yet to start rolling in as of 6 p.m. Sunday, Lessor is confident that Monday will be a difficult day for students and commuters alike to get to where they need to be.
"Since this is winter in New England, we must all be prepared to deal with these types of storms. DOT trucks will be treating the roads through the entire storm so we can keep the state open for business," Gov. Dannel Malloy said. Driving conditions will not be optimal, but Malloy said roads will be passable. If you must drive, take it slow and give yourself extra time to get to and from your destinations.
A Winter Weather Advisory is calling for difficult traffic conditions and snow through 6 a.m. Tuesday.
“I don’t see anyone going to school [Monday]," Lessor said. “The only question is, when do they come back?
"Personally, I think there could be delays on Tuesday as well.”
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