The blizzard of 2026 dumped about a foot of snow in the West Hartford area. [Updated, 5:30 p.m.: Schools will be closed on Tuesday, but offices will open with a 2-hour delay.]

By Ronni Newton

Monday morning dawned with windows encrusted with snow, which fell heavily overnight and was driven by north and northeast winds that gusted well above 40 mph from a storm that has been confirmed as the first official blizzard in nearly a decade.

All schools were closed on Monday, as were municipal facilities (other than for essential functions like police, fire, and snow plowing) and most businesses.

West Hartford Public Schools made the following announcement early Monday evening: “Due to snow accumulation and its impact on transportation, West Hartford Public Schools will be closed Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Offices will open with a two-hour delay. Thank you for your understanding.”

The snow tapered off by Monday afternoon, and winds began to calm, although according to the National Weather Service gusts as high as 31 mph are possible overnight. Temperatures are expected to fall to 18ºF, and Tuesday is forecast to be sunny with a high near 29ºF.

Director of Public Works John Phillips announced Monday afternoon that the parking ban, which went into effect on Sunday, would expire at 5 p.m. Monday.

“If you parked your vehicle in any public school parking lot during the ban, you must remove your vehicle no later than 5 p.m.,” stated the announcement.

“Public Works crews have several hours of critical snow removal work remaining to fully clear school parking lots in preparation for normal school operations on Tuesday, Feb. 24. These lots must be cleared to ensure safe access for buses, faculty, staff, students, and families,” said Phillips in the announcement. Any vehicles left in school parking lots will be towed, and he said there is no alternative because they must clear the parking areas to ensure that schools can open safely and efficiently on Tuesday.

Later on Monday, the district announced that schools will be closed on Tuesday, but offices will be open with a two-hour delay.

“We appreciate your immediate attention to this matter and thank you for your continued cooperation and support. Please use caution when parking and driving,” the Public Works announcement stated.

Trash Collection

Trash and recycling collection did not take place on Monday, Feb. 23.

The collection will be delayed by one day. Monday’s area will be picked up on Tuesday, and Tuesday’s area on Wednesday, and so forth. Residents in the Monday collection area should place barrels at the curb by 6 a.m. on Tuesday.

Sidewalks

Per town ordinance, West Hartford property owners are responsible for removing snow and ice from the sidewalk along their property line within 12 hours after the storm or by sunrise – whichever is later. Residents are required to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice.

It’s particularly important to keep heavily-used sidewalks – those near schools, public buildings, and commercial areas – free and clear. Snow clearing violations should be reported to the West Hartford Police Department at 860-523-5203.

Hydrants

Residents are also asked to help out the West Hartford Fire Department and keep the community safe by shoveling a 3-foot radius area around fire hydrants.

“West Hartford has 1,300 hydrants in town. In an emergency, seconds count,” the town said in a Facebook post on Monday afternoon. “Please help our Fire Department by clearing a 3-foot area around a hydrant and a path to it. Take a photo and post it [on the Town of West Hartford Facebook page]. Four lucky winners will be selected on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, and will receive a $50 gift card or a ride to school in a West Hartford fire truck.”

Limited access highway travel ban

Gov. Ned Lamont also announced Monday afternoon that the emergency order prohibiting commercial vehicle travel in Connecticut due to the major winter storm would be terminated effective at 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026.

“While the worst part of the storm has passed, lingering snowfall remains and it is going to take some time for plow crews to fully clear the roads, which is why I continue to urge everyone to stay off the roads for the remainder of Monday unless absolutely necessary,” Lamont said in a statement. “If you must travel, leave early, take it slow, and keep a good distance from the plows.”

For real-time updates on any incidents that may be impacting state roads and highways, visit CTroads.org. For any updates pertaining to delays and cancellations on public transportation, visit the transit operator’s websites.

Storm photos

Do you have any good storm photos to share? Send them to [email protected] with “Blizzard photos” in the subject line.

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