The development of the blizzard/winter storm began along the southeast coast on Wednesday January 3, 2018. An amplifying upper level trough spawned the development of low pressure off the coast of Florida. The low pressure rapidly intensified on Wednesday night through Thursday January 4, 2018 as it moved north-northeast along the coast. The low passed just east of the 40��N 70��W benchmark Thursday afternoon. The central pressure when the storm developed was around 1004 millibars at 1 pm Wednesday. 24 hours later, the central pressure fell to around 950 mb, approximately a 54 millibar drop. The rapid intensification of the storm led to heavy snow, strong winds, and blizzard conditions across Fairfield and New London Counties. Near-blizzard conditions occurred in New Haven and Middlesex counties due to the heaviest snow bands setting up to the east and west.  Thundersnow was also observed across southeast Connecticut.
System-wide delays and cancellations occurred on the Metro North Railroad. Thousands of homes and businesses also lost power.
There were numerous other accidents across southern Connecticut.

Blizzard in SOUTHERN FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT
From 04-JAN-18 08:52:00 to 04-JAN-18 12:32:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport ASOS (Bridgeport, CT) observations showed blizzard conditions, with visibility less than one quarter mile in heavy snow and frequent wind gusts over 35 mph during the morning on January 4th.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT
From 04-JAN-18 06:00:00 to 04-JAN-18 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS observers and trained spotters reported 8 to 13 inches of snow. The Danbury Municipal Airport ASOS (Danbury, CT) measured a 40 MPH wind gust at 3:23 PM. Winds frequently gusted 30 to 40 MPH during the peak of the event.

Blizzard in NORTHERN FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT
From 04-JAN-18 10:53:00 to 04-JAN-18 15:50:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Danbury Municipal Airport ASOS (Danbury, CT) observations showed blizzard conditions, with visibility less than one quarter mile in heavy snow and frequent wind gusts over 35 mph during the morning and early afternoon on January 4th.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT
From 04-JAN-18 03:00:00 to 04-JAN-18 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS observers, trained spotters, and the public reported 10 to 14 inches of snow. The Tweed-New Haven Airport ASOS (New Haven, CT) measured a 47 MPH wind gust at 12:02 PM. Near-blizzard conditions occurred across Southern New Haven County since the heaviest snow bands did not persist long enough to meet blizzard criteria.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT
From 04-JAN-18 04:00:00 to 04-JAN-18 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotters, Fire Department/Rescue, and CoCoRaHS observers reported 10 to 15 inches of snow. The Meriden Airport ASOS (Meriden, CT) measured a 44 MPH wind gust at 6:22 PM. Near-blizzard conditions occurred across Northern New Haven County since the heaviest snow bands did not persist long enough to meet blizzard criteria.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN MIDDLESEX, CONNECTICUT
From 04-JAN-18 03:00:00 to 04-JAN-18 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A CoCoRaHS observed 1 NE of Westbrook reported 7.7 inches of snow. The public reported 10.5 inches in Clinton. Near-blizzard conditions occurred across Northern Middlesex County, but the heaviest snow bands did not persist long enough to meet blizzard criteria.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN MIDDLESEX, CONNECTICUT
From 04-JAN-18 02:00:00 to 04-JAN-18 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter in Haddam reported 10.5 inches of snow. Social media reported 13 inches in Killingsworth.  Near-blizzard conditions occurred across Southern Middlesex County, but the heaviest snow bands did not persist long enough to meet blizzard criteria.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT
From 04-JAN-18 03:00:00 to 04-JAN-18 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A COOP Observer in Norwich reported 12.2 inches of snow. CoCoRaHS observers reported 9 to 12 inches of snow. The nearby Groton-New London Airport ASOS (Groton, CT) measured a 58 MPH wind gust at 3:32 PM. Winds frequently gusted 40 to 50 MPH during the peak of the winter storm.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT
From 04-JAN-18 03:00:00 to 04-JAN-18 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS observers reported 8 to 10 inches of snow. The Groton-New London Airport ASOS (Groton, CT) measured a 58 MPH wind gust at 3:32 PM. Winds frequently gusted 40 to 50 MPH during the peak of the winter storm.

Blizzard in SOUTHERN NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT
From 04-JAN-18 08:26:00 to 04-JAN-18 14:26:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Groton-New London Airport ASOS (Groton, CT) observations showed blizzard conditions, with visibility less than one quarter mile in heavy snow and frequent wind gusts over 35 mph during the morning and early afternoon on January 4th.

Blizzard in NORTHERN NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT
From 04-JAN-18 08:26:00 to 04-JAN-18 14:26:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The nearby Groton-New London Airport ASOS (Groton, CT) observations showed blizzard conditions, with visibility less than one quarter mile in heavy snow and frequent wind gusts over 35 mph during the morning and early afternoon on January 4th.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT
From 04-JAN-18 03:30:00 to 04-JAN-18 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS observers and trained spotters reported 8 to 12 inches of snow. A COOP observer in Success Hill reported 9 inches of snow. The Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport ASOS (Bridgeport, CT) measured a 52 MPH wind gust at 3:23 PM. Winds frequently gusted 40 to 50 MPH during the peak of the event. A jackknifed tractor trailer shut down Interstate 95 southbound in Darien, Connecitcut.