Storm update 11:40 a.m.: Heavy snow with near blizzard conditions will continue to impact the area through the early afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
As of 11 a.m., a band of heavy snow with snowfall rates of 2-4 inches per hour will continue to sit over the area through the early afternoon. Snow will gradually mix with or change to sleet from south to north during this time period. An additional 3-6 inches of snow is possible through early afternoon.
Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph are expected, resulting in near zero visibility.
Travel is not recommended through the early afternoon.
Earlier story: School children are home, and winter storm warnings are now in effect for the entire state.
A low pressure system located near the North Carolina Coast this morning is forecast to move slowly up the East Coast today and tonight, departing to the Northeast Friday morning.
On this track our area can expect a period of moderate to heavy snow this morning, changing to a light mix this afternoon and back to moderate to heavy snow late tonight.
In Milford, snow started in the early morning hours Thursday, and was falling steadily by 8 a.m. By 11 a.m., the snow was accumulating so quickly that shoveled sidewalks were quickly snow-covered again.
A rain/snow line is forecast to move from the Southeast Coast at noon into the Hartford area by 3:30 p.m. and into the NW Hills by 6:00 p.m. Towns can expect approximately 5" - 8" of snow before the changeover, with the lower amounts along the coast.
The precipitation intensity is forecast to drop back down to a light mix around 3 p.m. with a mix of rain, some freezing rain and sleet across most of the state during the afternoon rush hour and into this evening.
Temperatures are forecast to range from the upper 20's in Northern CT to the low 30's along the coast during the day. Northeast winds are forecast to gradually increase during the day reaching 20 - 30 MPH with gusts to 40 MPH by the afternoon rush hour.
Tonight, mixed precipitation changing back to snow in Western CT around 10:00 PM and across the rest of the state by 2 a.m. There will likely be another period of moderate to heavy snow across Western CT between midnight and 5 a.m. with 4" - 8" inches of additional accumulation in Western CT and 1" - 3" inches of additional accumulation in Eastern CT.
The snow is forecast to end completely by 6 a.m. on Friday. The impact on the Friday morning rush hour is forecast to be moderate with snow cover on most roads and some patches of black ice.
Alternate side of the street parking is in effect today in Milford.
Cars parked on city roads should be parked on the odd number side of the street on Thursday, Feb. 13 until 8 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 14. On Friday, Feb. 14, cars should be moved to the even number side of the street.
This alternate side of the street parking ban will be lifted at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14.