Photos: Blizzard Packs Early Punch

Posted at 9:25 p.m.

A Blizzard Warning for Middlesex County will remain in effect through 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, according to the National Weather Service. A Coastal Flood Advisory has also been issued for Middlesex County from 1 a.m. until 5 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 27.

Francis Willett, Director of Emergency Management in Durham, said tonight emergency personel will monitor the storm throughout the night and early morning. He said the town appeared on track to receive between "20-24 inches of snow," with the strongest winds expected between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.

As of 9 p.m. Connecticut Light & Power was not reporting any power outages in Durham or Middlefield. CL&P reports 17 power outages in Killingworth, although it is not clear whether the outages are due to the storm. Statewide CL&P is reporting 2,793 outages.

Posted at 4:30 p.m.

By Sunday afternoon the early beginnings of a blizzard had already blanketed roads in Middlefield, making them all but impassable despite the ongoing efforts of crews to keep them safe.

Pete Parker, a public works employee in Middlefield, said crews had been out since 11 a.m. Sunday and were planning to "work around the clock, until 6 a.m Monday morning."

"We're used to it. I've been doing this for 30 years. Well, one more year and it's 30 years for me," Parker said, adding that the roads were pretty well covered.

"We're done sanding for now. There's no use dropping sand on top of snow."

A sign on the door of the Apple Barrel at Lyman Orchards read, "Due to the now, we will be closing at 1pm on 12/26/10. Thanks."

A few customers had stopped by Coginchaug Market on Main Street, which remained open. "We're open now, it all depends on how the roads are," said store clerk Joel Copperthite, who admitted that he was braving the blizzard because he lived nearby. Copperthite said he planned to remain open until 6 p.m. Sunday.

In nearby Durham, First Selectman Laura Francis spent part of her afternoon on a conference call with Gov. Jodi Rell, who provided cities and towns with an update of how the state was handling the storm.

"The state's emergency operations center is partially active," Francis said about the  facility which utilizes high tech equipment to monitor conditions across the state.

Francis advised residents, "Don't go out if [you] don't have to."

"It's supposed to snow until 3 a.m. We'll be talking in the morning to decide whether we'll delay the opening of Town Hall or the Library. At this point it appears we will."

Francis said the town is prepared to open Coginchaug High School as a shelter in case of prolonged power outages, although she said many choose to stay with family first.

"We prepare to be open even if it's just one person."

You can follow Durham's Emergency Management Department on Twitter at @durhamem. You can also sign up to receive Emergency Notification alerts by clicking here.

In Killingworth, as of 4 p.m., Connecticut Light & Power was reporting 17 outages, although it's unclear if the outages are related to the storm.

According to the National Weather Service 12-18 inches of snow is expected by Monday afternoon.

Original Story

The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for Middlesex County, as a large storm approaches Connecticut.

The storm will arrive late this morning with light snow flurries and intensify this afternoon, with snowfall becoming heavier throughout the evening hours. The NWS forecasts between 11-16 inches of snow, with higher accumulations locally.

Wind gusts between 20-30 mph will create dangerous travel conditions. 

Here are a few tips:

• If you're planning to drive during the storm, take it slow.
• Provide plow trucks plenty of room on the road.
• Do not shovel excess snow on to a road.
• Be prepared for power outages. Flashlights, candles and blankets come in handy if you lose power.
• Stay in contact with elderly or disabled family members during the storm to ensure they're okay.

The emergency operations center at the State Armory in Hartford will be open Sunday.

Anyone with cancellation information in Killingworth, Durham or Middlefield may forward it to michael.hayes@patch.com for publication on this site.