Connecticut and New York Bracing for Weekend Snow as Coastal Band Targets I-95 Corridor
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — A fast-moving weekend storm is lining up to deliver a swath of light but widespread snow to Connecticut, New York City and Long Island late Saturday night into Sunday morning, with forecasters highlighting the potential for 1–3 inches of fluffy accumulation in many communities along the I-95 corridor.
A Classic Light Snow Event, Not a Major Nor’easter
Forecast guidance shows this system behaving like a compact, “old-fashioned” light snow event rather than a blockbuster coastal storm. Once it arrives Saturday night, the atmosphere over southern New England and the New York metro area should be cold enough for all snow, with no rain or wintry mix expected during the main event.
The snow will be relatively dry and powdery thanks to below-freezing air, so it will accumulate efficiently on untreated roads, sidewalks and elevated surfaces, even if totals remain on the lighter side.
Timing: Late Saturday Night Through Early Sunday
Current projections focus the primary snow window between midnight and 7 a.m. Sunday:
- Late Saturday evening: Clouds thicken and light snow or flurries begin pushing into western sections.
- Midnight to pre-dawn Sunday: Steadier snow develops and sweeps east across Connecticut, New York City and Long Island. This is when most of the accumulation is expected.
- After 7 a.m. Sunday: The storm slides offshore, with snow ending from west to east and roads gradually improving through the morning.
Because much of the snow falls while many people are asleep, early-morning travel Sunday will be the most affected, especially on secondary roads that haven’t yet been treated.
Model Agreement: 1–3 Inches for Much of the Region
Ensemble output from the European weather model shows a 70–80 percent chance of at least one inch of snow across a broad zone from coastal Connecticut into the New York metro area and Long Island. In some shoreline communities, probabilities for amounts over two inches are higher, suggesting that localized totals around 3 inches are on the table.
The GFS model remains more conservative, generally showing a coating to about an inch. However, when forecasters factor in the projected storm track and the way recent runs have handled the coastal wave, many are leaning toward the higher 1–3 inch range as the more realistic outcome.
Who Sees the Most Snow?
Based on the latest guidance, the best chance for the higher 2–3 inch totals appears to be:
- Coastal and southern Connecticut, especially near and south of I-95
- New York City, including the boroughs and immediate suburbs
- Long Island, where a slightly longer period of steady snow is possible
Farther inland across interior Connecticut and the Hudson Valley, totals may trend closer to 1–2 inches, with some spots seeing only a light coating if the main band sets up farther south.
Even at modest amounts, this could still be the first meaningful snowfall of the season for parts of coastal Connecticut, New York City and Long Island.
Travel Impacts and What Residents Should Do
While this is not expected to be a high-impact winter storm, slick travel is likely for a few hours:
- Snow-covered and icy patches are possible on untreated roads before sunrise Sunday.
- Bridges, overpasses and hills may become particularly slippery under bursts of moderate snow.
- Because winds look relatively light, blowing and drifting should be limited, and the risk of power outages appears low.
Residents are encouraged to plan extra time for early-morning travel, keep an eye on updated forecasts Saturday, and be prepared for quickly changing road conditions during the overnight hours.
As new data arrive and the track of this system becomes clearer, WaldronNews.com will continue to update snowfall projections, timing details and any potential advisories for Connecticut, New York City and Long Island. Stay tuned to our latest coverage before heading out this weekend.