A parking ban will go into effect in West Hartford at 5 p.m.

The snow has started to fall in West Hartford and although many may not agree with this sign, the snow lovers may end up happy. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

Although the radar made it appear as if snow was blanketing the area at daybreak, the atmosphere was so dry that it was evaporating before it hit the ground.

At about 9:20 a.m. [Editor’s note: Yes, I was watching for it!} the first flakes began to flutter around, but the flurries were barely visible until closer to noon.

At 1 p.m., snow is beginning to accumulate and it looks as if we are going to actually have a plowable event.

A parking ban for West Hartford will go into effect at 5 p.m. in West Hartford, and will be in effect until further notice.

Director of Public Works John Phillips said that all roads in West Hartford were being pre-treated Saturday morning and early afternoon, in advance of any accumulation.

All plow routes are fully staffed and Phillips said that he does not anticipate needing to call in extra contractors for this storm.

“We anticipate 1 inch per hour snowfall later this evening,” Phillips said. “We ask that if you must drive later today please do so with caution and expect slippery conditions,” he said.

“Please respect the work of our driver. Do not pass a plow truck,” said Phillips.

Phillips also asked everyone to please obey the parking ban and refrain from pushing snow from the driveway into a cleared street.

The amount of snow we will get in West Hartford remains a moving target, but there is certainly plenty nearby. There is already a foot of snow in Long Island and a travel ban goes into effect in New York City at 2:30 p.m., some subway lines have been closed, and all Broadway shows are cancelled Saturday night. CT Transit buses along the shoreline (Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, Milford, and the Coastal Link) have halted service for the day.

The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services sent out the following prediction at 11:15 a.m. Saturday and said they will be updating it later this afternoon: “The snow is expected to begin to lighten up around 6 p.m. and end completely from west to east by midnight.  According to the NAM, GFS and EURO total accumulations will range from  around 5″  at the MA border, 4″ – 8″ in the Hartford Area, 6″ – 8″ in Central CT from Meriden to Norwich, 8″ – 12″ along the coast from New Haven to Stonington and up to 14″ in lower Fairfield county,” but cautioned that any slight shift in the storm track will have a significant impact on snow totals.

Phillips is anticipating the heaviest snow to fall in West Hartford between 2 – 8 p.m.

A winter storm warning is in effect until 7 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, and according to the National Weather Service, 4 – 8 inches of snow are predicted during the day Saturday with an additional 1 – 3 inches overnight. Sunday is expected to be sunny with temperatures in the mid 30s and lighter winds.

Many of the events scheduled for Saturday evening will be held as scheduled. That includes the Bridge Family Center’s Children’s Charity Ball, and the Conard High School Class of 2016 Safe Grad “Parents’ Night Out” fundraiser at West Hartford Town Hall.

Check back for updates as conditions change.

And if you haven’t seen this video from the National Zoo, watch it now to see how enjoyable snow can be!

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford!