A historic and unprecedented early-season winter storm impacted the area on Saturday, October 29, with more than one foot of heavy wet snow falling on interior portions of Southern Connecticut.  This is the first time a winter storm of this magnitude has ever occurred in October.
Late Friday night, October 28, an area of low pressure emerged from the South Carolina coastal plain into the western Atlantic Ocean.  The low moved up the coast late Friday night into Saturday morning.  The low began to rapidly strengthen late Saturday morning when it was east of the Delmarva coast, and continued to strengthen as it passed south of Long Island Saturday night.  With water temperatures in the lower 60s, extreme southeast coastal Connecticut received mainly rainfall and up to 3 inches of rain during the event.  Areas just to the north and west, however, were just cold enough to support a heavy wet snow.  The heaviest snow fell along a corridor through interior southwest Connecticut, with up to a foot of snow in the highest elevations.  In addition to the heavy rain and snow, strong winds were experienced along the immediate coastline.
Hundreds of thousands of people across southern Connecticut lost power during this event as heavy snow accumulated on trees that still had partial to full foliage during mid-autumn.  This caused extensive felling of trees and limbs across the region and damage to power lines.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT
From 29-OCT-11 11:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Widespread tree damage and power outages occurred due to 3 to 8 inches of heavy wet snow and 15 to 20 mph winds.
In Stamford, trees and branches and power lines were reported down throughout the town around 1230 pm EST.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT
From 29-OCT-11 11:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Widespread tree damage and power outages occurred due to 6 to 17 inches of heavy wet snow. The heavier amounts fell in the higher elevations.
In Newtown, numerous trees were reported down across the town by 230 pm EST. In Danbury, 2 homes were damaged by falling trees by around 330 pm EST. In Sherman, lanes were blocked on Route 39 near Hubble Mountain Road due to downed trees and power lines around 4pm EST.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT
From 29-OCT-11 11:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Widespread tree damage and power outages occurred due to 6 to 12 inches of heavy wet snow. The heavier amounts fell in the higher elevations.
In Wolcott, one person was struck by a tree and injured while walking outside around 310 pm EST. In Seymour, numerous trees and branches were reported down by around 4 pm EST. In Meriden, many trees and wires were down on Briar Lane by around 930 pm EST.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT
From 29-OCT-11 11:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Widespread tree damage and power outages occurred due to 2 to 4 inches of heavy wet snow and 15 to 20 mph winds.
In New Haven, multiple trees were reported down at Pine and Ferry Streets around 430 pm EST.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN MIDDLESEX, CONNECTICUT
From 29-OCT-11 11:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Widespread tree damage and power outages occurred due to 3 to 8 inches of heavy wet snow. The heavier amounts fell in the higher elevations.
In Durham, Route 7 near Dinatale Rd was closed due to downed trees around 5 pm EST.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT
From 29-OCT-11 12:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Widespread tree damage and power outages occurred due to 3 to 8 inches of heavy wet snow. The heavier amounts fell in the higher elevations.
In Colchester, numerous trees and wires were reported down on Route 16 between Bigilow and Waterhole Roads by 530 pm EST.