Arctic Cold Snap Hits Connecticut: Bitter Chill, Chance of Snow

Connecticut’s rolling into a stretch of classic December weather. Cold air’s here to stay for now—expect only spotty light snow and plenty of sunshine between systems.

From midweek into the weekend, folks in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, and honestly, just about everywhere else, will see below-normal temperatures at times. There’s a quick-hitting Arctic front coming, and just enough snow showers to slick up a few roads—nothing major, though.

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Quiet, Cold Sunshine Midweek

The middle of the week looks calm and seasonably cold. That’s a welcome break for commuters from Stamford to Waterbury who’ve dealt with more active patterns lately.

Sunshine takes over, but the air mass overhead keeps things chilly. You’ll notice it, trust me.

Wednesday: Bright Skies, Chilly Air

High pressure keeps the state dry and tranquil on Wednesday. Skies stay mostly sunny from Norwich to Danbury, so roads and sidewalks are in good shape for both commutes.

Afternoon temps climb into the mid to upper 30s statewide. Winds drop off through the morning, but even a light breeze makes it feel colder.

It’s one of those days where the sun looks inviting through the window, but you’ll still want your coat, hat, and gloves if you’re walking around downtown Hartford or along the New Haven Green.

Arctic Front Brings Brief Snow and Bitter Cold

Thursday brings a shift in the weather pattern. An Arctic front slides across Connecticut, with a quick burst of snow showers and a sharp temperature drop.

Thursday: Morning Chill, Afternoon Snow Showers

Thursday starts cold, with lows in the 20s across much of the state. If you’re heading out early from New Britain or Enfield, expect frosty windshields and that classic crunch underfoot on the driveway.

The Arctic front sweeps through during the day, sparking fast-moving snow showers scattered around Connecticut. These bands might briefly cut visibility and put down a quick coating of snow, especially on untreated surfaces.

Only a light dusting is expected, but there could be short-lived travel issues right as the showers move through. Secondary roads in towns like Manchester, Meriden, and Middletown might get a little slick.

Thursday Night Into Friday: Frigid Air Settles In

Once the front passes, cold air pours in. By late Thursday night into Friday morning, temperatures tumble into the single digits and teens for many locations.

The cold hits hardest in the northwest hills—northern Litchfield County could see wind chills near zero, from Torrington up to the Massachusetts line.

Friday might end up being the coldest day since early March for a lot of inland towns. Highs could struggle to reach 30 degrees, especially away from the shoreline.

If you’re in Farmington, Southington, or Vernon, plan for a day that feels more like mid-winter than early December.

Weekend: Gradual Moderation With a Light Snow Chance

By the weekend, the sting of Arctic air eases a bit. Still, the overall pattern stays pretty wintry.

A storm system passing to our south could brush Connecticut with some light snow. Any accumulation looks minor right now.

Saturday: Storm Skirts South, Only Light Snow Possible

Saturday brings a coastal system tracking south of New England. Current trends suggest it’ll stay far enough offshore that Connecticut only sees the northern edge of the moisture.

There’s a chance of light snow, mainly across southern and eastern parts of the state. Keep an eye on areas near Groton, Norwalk, and parts of New London County.

Significant accumulation is unlikely. Any snow that falls should be light—just enough to whiten lawns and rooftops, not really a problem for main roads.

Temps rebound slightly, with highs in the 30s. It’ll be cold but manageable for holiday shopping or outdoor events in town centers from West Hartford to Milford.

Regional Temperature Breakdown

Through all this, Connecticut’s temperature spread keeps to its usual pattern. It’s milder along the shoreline, colder inland, and coldest up in the higher elevations.

What to Expect by Region

Here’s how temperatures shape up across Connecticut during this stretch:

Shoreline (Bridgeport, New Haven, Stamford): Highs hover around 38–41°F. Most days stay mostly sunny, which is honestly a nice change for December.
Inland towns (Hartford, Waterbury, Manchester): Highs sit mainly in the 35–40°F range. Friday might feel a bit colder, so keep that in mind.
Litchfield Hills (Torrington, New Milford): Highs land near 34–38°F. Expect the coldest wind chills Thursday night into Friday—definitely not the time to forget your gloves.

It’s cold, mostly dry, and you might catch a quick snow shower here or there. December’s rolling in, and you’ll probably want your heavier coat handy.

Here is the source article for this story: Arctic cold snap on the way to Connecticut, bringing a brutal chill and chances of snow

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