Politics & Government

UPDATES: Stratford Battered by Winter Storm Pax

The region's most powerful nor'easter of the season so far left has left in its wake almost two feet of snow in some spots of the state, as well as a layer of ice and freezing rain.

UPDATE at 6:55 p.m.

As the sleet and freezing rain slowly falls now, encouraging many residents to come outside to shovel and dig themselves out, you may think that the worst part of today's storm is over. 

Think again.

Find out what's happening in Stratfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Another round of heavy snow is headed our way late tonight, with snowfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour, according to the latest National Weather Service winter storm warning.

The light freezing rain will gradually change over to sleet and snow as the evening moves along, and then change to all snow around midnight — becoming heavy at times.

Find out what's happening in Stratfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Even a few rumbles of thunder are possible, as the unsettled weather pattern moves through the region overnight. 

Additional accumulations of snow and ice of 4 to 9 inches are expected, with statewide totals reaching anywhere from 10 to 22 inches of snow.

UPDATE at 6:35 p.m.

Gov. Dannel Malloy has declared a state of emergency in hopes of securing federal funding, as many towns face road salt shortages, given the number of winter weather events so far this season.

UPDATE at 11:25 a.m.

It looks as though the near blizzard conditions the area has been experiencing since earlier this morning, will now continue well into the afternoon.

The National Weather service just issued an updated special weather statement warning the heavy snowfall — up to 2 to 4 inches an hour — and high guts will continue to sit over the region for a few more hours.

"Snow will gradually mix with or change to sleet from south to north during this time period," the meteorologists report, adding an additional 3 to 6 inches of snow are possible through the early afternoon.

Snowfall expectations for the northern parts of the state remain at some 8 to 12 inches. The southern portion of Connecticut, however, will now see upwards of 16 inches of snow today.

UPDATE at 11 a.m.

All Town of Stratford offices are closed for the day today. 

UPDATE at 8:50 a.m. on Thursday

The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement warning of "near blizzard conditions" this morning along the southern portion of the state — including Branford.

As the latest band of heavy snow sits atop the region, snow fall rates will be in the 2 to 4 inches per hour range. That heavy snow along with rising wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour will significantly reduce visibility. 

The blizzard-like conditions are expected to ease as the temperature rises and a wintry mix develops.

"Snow will mix with and possibly change to sleet and rain late this afternoon and evening, before changing back to all snow tonight," the meteorologists stated in their report. "The snow will taper off after midnight."

The coastal flood watch for coastal Connecticut is no longer in effect, according to the National Weather Service's latest weather updates.

The current winter storm warning, however, remains in effect until 6 a.m. tomorrow morning. 

Update at 9:05 p.m.

"Due to the inclement weather, town buildings will open at noon on Thursday, February 13th," Stratford officials report via their Facebook page. "Non-essential employees should report to work by noon on Thursday. Stratford schools are closed Thursday, February 13th."

Update at 7:05 p.m.

The Stratford Public School District will be closed for Thursday, Feb. 13 due to the expected winter storm.

Original Post

As the latest winter storm approaches the shoreline, the Town of Stratford has issued a parking ban that will go into effect at 8 p.m. this evening. 

Town officials are asking residents to remove their vehicles from the roadways wherever possible, or to park only on the "odd" side of the street to allow town crews to clear roads properly.


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