Community Corner
UPDATE: Greenwich To Lift Snow Emergency This Morning
A winter weather advisory is in effect until late Thursday morning, as temperatures drop into the teens — icing over roadways and walks — while Greenwich snow emergency is in effect until further notice.
Updated: 7:50 a.m., Feb. 6:
The snow emergency in Greenwich will be lifted at 9 a.m. Thursday.
In an announcement released by Greenwich Police, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved lifting the ban which imposed parking and travel restrictions.
Greenwich schools reopened Thursday without any delays.
Updated: 6:54 p.m., Feb. 5:
This week's latest winter storm may be over, but travel conditions will once again be slick tonight into Thursday morning's commute as temperatures drop into the teens — and the light freezing rain and melting slush ice over.
Because of this, the National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for Greenwich, as well as much of the rest of the region. No word yet on whether Greenwich schools will have a delayed opening on Thursday. (But we'll keep you posted as soon as we hear.)
The meteorologists warned that the combination of slushy surfaces and dipping temperatures will lead to "widespread black ice tonight into Thursday morning as standing water re-freezes."
The advisory remains in effect until 10 a.m. on Thursday.
Updated: 2:55 p.m., Feb. 5:
The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles has announced that road tests for Thursday, Feb. 6 are postponed until 11 a.m. DMV offices will open Thursday at 9:15 a.m., which is the regularly scheduled time.
Anyone with a road test or knowledge test appointment for Wednesday or a road test appointment prior to 11 a.m. Thursday can call DMV Thursday morning to choose a new date. The numbers to call are 860-263-5700if someone is within the Hartford area and toll-free 800-842-8222 for those outside the Hartford area.
Drivers of commercial and passenger vehicles are reminded about the requirement to remove snow and ice from hoods, trunks and roofs or face fines ranging from $75 to $1,250. Operators of commercial vehicles and passenger cars and trucks who drive a vehicle with accumulated snow and ice can be fined $75. However, the law calls for stiffer penalties when there’s personal or property damage from the flying elements.
In those instances the driver of a commercial vehicle faces a fine up to $1,250 and a passenger car or small truck driver can be fined up to $1,000. Drivers are exempt from the fines when the snow, sleet and freezing rain begins or continues while the vehicle is traveling. Parked vehicles are also exempt from the required removal of ice and snow.
Updated: 10:20 a.m., Feb. 5:
There are 208 Connecticut Light & Power customers without service, according to the utility.
If you're having power issues, let us know in the comments section.
Updated: 8 a.m., Feb. 5:
About four inches of snow have fallen in Greenwich and that snow is now being encased in freezing rain as the second winter storm of the week hovers over the region.
With the Board of Selectmen unanimously voting to impose a snow emergency at 1 a.m. today, until further notice, public and private school officials decided last night to cancel Wednesday classes. Information on snow emergency routes can be found here.
On I-95 in Greenwich, travel lanes are snow-covered. There was one spinout with a car off the road near southbound Exit 5 in Riverside.
Metro-North Railroad announced that "New Haven Line Westbound trains will not stop between Old Greenwich and Cos Cob. Customers should travel Eastbound to Stamford where they can transfer for Westbound service to access those stations. Customers should anticipate system-wide delays of up to 30 minutes due to power problems caused by severe weather conditions."
And the cancellations continue to come in.
- Due to today's (2/5/14) inclement weather, the Boys & Girls Club Greenwich is closed. The club's JSF and JSW lessons are cancelled. The evening rink operations will be determined later in the day. According to an email n otice, the club says, " Please check back regularly for future updates on our website: bgcg.org or on facebook.com/BGCGKids. Email us should you have any questions: info@bgcg.org."
- The Greenwich, Cos Cob, Byram Shubert and Perrot Memorial libraries are closed.
- The Greenwich YWCA is closed.
- The Greenwich YMCA has a delayed opening of 11 a.m.
- Due to the weather forecast, First Congregational Church of Greenwich will be closed in the morning on Wed, Feb 5, but hopes to open by noon.
- Sophia's Costumes posted on Facebook: "Due to the weather, we will be closed today and reopening tomorrow!"
Updated: 10:22 p.m., Feb. 4:
Following in the footsteps pf Greenwich Public Schools, all private schools in Greenwich have cancelled classes for Wednesday, Feb. 5.
Updated: 9:11 p.m:Feb. 4:
Greenwich Public Schools has announced that schools are closed on Wedsnesday, Feb. 5, because of the impending weather.
Updated: 7:45 p.m. Feb. 4:
Batten down the hatches Greenwich! Yes, it seems that it's every couple days we're getting hammered with either frigid temps or snow. And this week is no exception.
As Greenwich residents and those from throughout the region dug out of a snowfall of at least six inches of heavy, wet snow, they are girding for a storm the National Weather Service says could drop at least six inches more of snow as well as at least a quarter of ice from freezing rain and sleet that's expected to start after midnight Tuesday night.
That forecast has prompted the town of Greenwich to declare a snow emergency late Tuesday night, that goes into effect at 1 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5.
And motorist should also be aware that King Street is closed in both directions between Glenville Street and the Merritt Parkway because of downed power lines in the Rye Brooke section of the road, according to Greenwich emergency radio transmissions. Consolidated Edison is on the scene but there isn't any estimated time of when repairs will be completed.
In anticipation, the Town of Greenwich Board of Selectmen has unanimously voted to declare a Snow Emergency effective later this evening at 1:00 am, Wednesday, Feb. 5. The Snow Emergency will remain in effect until cancelled.
Here's the specifics on Greenwich's snow emergency:
"During the period of the Snow Emergency no vehicles are permitted to remain parked, stopped or standing on any Snow Emergency streets. Vehicles in violation will be subject to ticketing and immediate towing. If you are unsure if your vehicle is parked on a Snow Emergency street, a full list can be viewed here: Snow Emergency Streets Vehicles displaced from Snow Emergency streets may be lawfully parked in municipal off-street parking lots until the snow emergency is over. Your cooperation will ensure that road crews can keep Snow Emergency streets open for emergency First Responder vehicle traffic.
Find out what's happening in Greenwichwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
At this time, the State of Connecticut’s Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection is anticipating that this will be a "moderate to major" winter storm event. Light snow beginning around midnight is predicted to give way to very heavy, wet snow through the early morning hours continuing to midday tomorrow with some periods of limited visibility.
The snow will be mixed with and finally end with periods of sleet and freezing rain. Total snow accumulations are predicted to be 6 to 10 inches and total ice accretions of up to one-quarter of one inch are likely. Temperatures, even during the daytime, are not predicted to be above freezing for several days. This storm, especially with its potential for significant icing may cause trees and branches and power lines to become heavy and fall.
Find out what's happening in Greenwichwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Residents should use extra caution when outdoors, be aware of the potential for falling trees and branches and never approach downed wires of any type. Additionally, residents should be mindful of the possibility of power and communications interruptions during and following this winter storm event.
"Additional staffing has been added to Public Works road crews and to Greenwich's emergency responder agencies and the Town of Greenwich is fully prepared for the coming snow and ice event."
“After speaking with emergency management officials and assessing the current forecast, I am calling for the partial activation of the EOC tonight to better coordinate a rapid response to any problems that may arise during the height of the storm,” Malloy said. “Beginning early tomorrow morning, this storm is forecasted to produce very heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain causing low visibility and deteriorating driving conditions. I am urging everyone to exercise caution if they must travel tomorrow.”
The weather forecast already prompted cancellations.
This just in from Lori Contadino of the Greenwich Senior Center:
"In light of challenging weather predicted for late today and tomorrow, the February 5th SPN meeting will be cancelled. This meeting has been been rescheduled for Wednesday, March 5th @ 8:30 a.m. at The Mews."
At the Greenwich Senior Center, the Drum Circle Class with Deanne Macomsen for Wednesday has been rescheduled to Feb. 12 at 10:30 a.m.There hasn't been any word yet on school closures
Original story: 5:30 a.m. Feb. 4:
Flocks of chubby robins seen flying around Bruce Park and munching on fallen berries and seeds, must surely wish they didn't head north so soon.
On the heels of a snow storm that blanketed Greenwich with upwards of six inches of heavy, wet frozen precipitation and forced cancellation of schools on Monday, another storm is expected to drop another 6 to 10 inches of snow on the region on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
The NWS has issued a winter storm watch, effective at midnight Feb. 5 through 6 p.m. Feb. 5. The snow is expected to change over to sleet and freezing rain, leaving a coating of ice atop the snow.
And it won't stop then either. According to the NWS, more snow could be headed this way over the weekend and into Monday.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: Snow, mainly after midnight. Low around 26. Calm wind becoming northeast 5 to 9 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
- Wednesday: Snow, freezing rain, and sleet before 4pm, then a chance of freezing rain and sleet between 4pm and 5pm, then a chance of snow, freezing rain, and sleet after 5pm. High near 30. Northeast wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
- Wednesday Night: A chance of freezing drizzle before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. North wind around 11 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 30.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 13.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 31.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32.
- Saturday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Sunday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Sunday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Monday: A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 30. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
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