Connecticut Snow Forecast: Up to 7 Inches Tuesday — Start Time?

This article breaks down what Connecticut residents can expect from the season’s first accumulating snowfall on Tuesday. We’ll look at where the heaviest snow might fall, how the rain–snow line will shift, and what all of this means for travel from the Litchfield Hills to the shoreline.

First Widespread Snow of the Season Targets Connecticut

Connecticut is bracing for its first real taste of winter as a storm system heads up from the southwest. Nobody’s sure exactly how much snow will fall, but it’s looking more likely that most of the state will see at least a little—especially if you’re not right on the shoreline.

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Folks from Hartford to Waterbury and up into the hills near North Canaan will probably be dusting off their shovels and checking if their snow tires are up to the job.

Who Sees the Most Snow?

The real headline is the chance for heavy snow in far northern Litchfield County. Higher elevations and distance from Long Island Sound should keep things cold enough for a solid snowfall.

The National Weather Service has put the northern end of Litchfield County under a winter storm watch. Here’s what the latest projections are calling for:

Over 7 inches of snow in northern Litchfield County, especially up in the hills.
3 to 6 inches across much of northwestern Connecticut, hitting spots near Torrington and New Milford.
A few inches in the northeast corner near Massachusetts, so towns like Putnam and Thompson should keep an eye out.
1 to 2 inches for a lot of inland towns, from Manchester and Middletown to Cheshire and Enfield.
Less than an inch along the shoreline, including New Haven, Bridgeport, and Stamford.
Just a tenth of an inch or less right at the coast.

Timeline: How the Storm Will Unfold

The timing really matters, especially for Tuesday’s morning commute. The storm arrives with cold air already in place, but as the day goes on, warmer marine air will sneak in along the coast and flip snow to rain for a lot of shoreline towns.

If you’re in Hartford, New Haven, or Norwich, you’ll probably notice things changing through the day. The northwest hills will hang onto snow the longest.

Early Tuesday: Snow at the Start

Snow should kick in before sunrise Tuesday, starting in western and northwestern Connecticut and then spreading east. Early commuters from Danbury, Winsted, and Bristol might find the roads turning slick fast, especially on back roads and up in the hills.

By 7 a.m., the shoreline from New London to Milford will probably see a rain–snow mix. Inland spots will still be mostly snow. This first burst of snow will matter most for totals, especially north and west of I-84.

Late Morning Through Afternoon: Rain Pushes Inland

As the storm gets stronger and pulls in milder air from the Atlantic, rain will take over along the coast. The rain–snow line should push north through late morning and afternoon.

Towns closer to the Sound—like Fairfield, West Haven, and Groton—will mostly deal with a cold, wet rain. Meanwhile, inland spots in central and northern Connecticut could see a mix or just snow, depending on how high up you are.

Tuesday Night: Change Back to Snow and Storm Exit

Once temperatures drop Tuesday night, the rain–snow line will slide south again. That’ll let snow redevelop, especially in the northwest hills where cold air sticks around longest.

The system should move out by early Wednesday. Some inland spots might get a final coating to an inch, with the higher terrain in Litchfield County possibly picking up a bit more. By sunrise Wednesday, most of the accumulating snow should be done, but there could still be some slick patches on untreated roads.

Travel, Safety, and the Bigger Weather Picture

This isn’t a blockbuster storm for most of Connecticut, but it’s the first widespread wintry event of the season. That’s often when drivers get caught off guard. Even a little snow can make for tricky travel, especially early in the morning or after dark.

There’s no ice (freezing rain) expected in Connecticut with this one, so the risk of downed limbs and power lines is lower. Still, winter weather advisories and watches stretch from the southern Appalachians all the way up here, showing just how big this system really is.

Regional Context: Heaviest Snow Stays to Our North and West

On a regional scale, it looks like the heaviest snowfall will fall from the Poconos up through Maine. That’s where the deeper cold air really digs in and stays put.

In those areas, totals will probably blow past what most Connecticut towns get. Folks up there can expect more widespread, disruptive snow—definitely not a minor event.

Meanwhile, across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, this same storm brings a messy mix. We’re talking rain, some thunderstorms, freezing rain, and all kinds of wintry combinations.

Here in Connecticut—from the hills of Litchfield and Winchester down to the shoreline cities like New Haven and Bridgeport—the main story’s that classic early-season snow-to-rain setup. The northwest hills have the best shot at decent snow totals, while the coast probably dodges most of the accumulation.

Here is the source article for this story: Up to 7 inches of snow possible in parts of Connecticut Tuesday. When will it start?

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