Freezing Rain Expected in Connecticut Sunday Night — Icy Roads Ahead

Connecticut drivers and pedestrians should brace themselves for a messy stretch of winter weather. A warm front will bring light rain, freezing drizzle, and quick temperature swings from Sunday evening into Monday.

This system isn’t a blockbuster snowstorm, but don’t let that fool you. The mix of cold ground, leftover snow, and incoming rain could make for some nasty icy spots from Hartford to New Haven, and up into the Litchfield hills.

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Cold Start Sunday With Increasing Clouds and Rising Temperatures

Sunday kicks off with classic mid-winter chill across Connecticut. Morning temps will drop to around 15 degrees, especially in places like Torrington and Manchester.

It’ll be a little milder by the shore in towns such as Bridgeport and Norwalk. Any early sunshine won’t last long.

Clouds start rolling in by late morning as a warm front pushes in from the southwest. By mid to late afternoon, temperatures should reach the low to mid-30s across the state, including cities like New Britain and Waterbury.

Why the Ground Temperature Matters More Than the Air

Even if the air warms up above 30 degrees, the ground will still be frozen and snow-covered in a lot of spots. That’s the perfect setup for freezing rain—liquid rain that turns to ice as soon as it hits those cold surfaces.

Roads, sidewalks, and driveways across Connecticut could get slick in a hurry.

Freezing Rain and Icy Conditions Sunday Evening

The real trouble starts late Sunday, as light rain moves in from the west. It won’t take much moisture to create a slick sheet of ice when the ground is still below freezing, especially in hill towns and on back roads.

Forecasters say the highest risk for icing runs from 5 p.m. to midnight Sunday. If you’re heading home from weekend plans or work, keep that in mind—especially from Stamford to Windham.

Greatest Travel Hazards on Untreated Roads and Walkways

Watch out for these spots:

Untreated roads, especially neighborhood streets and back roads

Parking lots and sidewalks with packed snow or slush

Bridges and overpasses—they freeze up first

Even a little rain can leave a thin glaze of ice on driveways, steps, and walkways. From Danbury to New London, slip-and-fall risks will be real.

Overnight Warming: Ice Turns to Slush and Standing Water

After midnight, that warm front nudges surface temps above freezing. Any ice that formed earlier should soften up into slush or melt into puddles by early Monday.

For the Monday morning commute, major roads—especially if crews treated them—should be mostly wet instead of icy. Still, if you live in the Litchfield Hills or other shady spots, keep an eye out for stubborn ice patches.

Monday: Milder, Mostly Cloudy, and Briefly Drier

Monday brings a quick break in the action. Expect:

Highs in the 40s for most of Connecticut

Mostly cloudy skies with some dry spells

More melting of the snowpack

This milder stretch will speed up snowmelt, leaving yards soggy and puddles in low spots across Meriden, Middletown, and Groton.

Rain Returns Late Monday With Slushy, Slick Conditions

Late Monday, another cold front slides through New England, bringing more rain to Connecticut. Thanks to the milder air, this round should fall mostly as plain rain.

Expect slushy, messy roads where melting snow and rain mix together. The risk of widespread icing looks low this time.

Drainage and Puddling Concerns

With a lot of snow still on the ground in inland towns, some storm drains might clog up. That means water could pond on roads and in parking lots.

Drivers should watch for:

Big puddles hiding potholes

Reduced visibility in heavier showers

Hydroplaning risk if you’re moving fast

Tuesday Quiet but Watch for Nighttime Refreezing

By Tuesday, things finally calm down. No big storms on the horizon, just quieter weather and highs back in the 30s.

But any leftover moisture will freeze up again at night as temps drop below freezing. Patchy black ice could be a problem on untreated surfaces in Hartford, New Haven, along the shoreline, in valleys, and up in the Litchfield Hills.

How to Stay Safe on the Ice

Connecticut residents can lower their risk by taking a few simple steps.

Use sand or salt on walkways, driveways, and front steps.

Give yourself extra time for both the morning and evening commute.

Pick shoes with solid traction before heading outside.

Drive slow, and leave more room than usual to stop on wet or slushy roads.

This isn’t a massive winter storm, but there’s still a catch. Light freezing rain, cold ground, and the whole melt-refreeze cycle will keep things slick from Sunday night through several more nights in Connecticut.

Here is the source article for this story: Freezing rain in Connecticut may cause icy roads Sunday night. Here’s what to know

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