Update: Storm Causes Power Outages in Durham

Update 11:30 p.m.

The following message is from Durham's Department of Emergency Management: 

High Winds and Snow are causing some power outages. Please Call CL&P at (800)286-2000 or call the Durham Storm Line if you need Non-Emergency Assistance. Please ONLY call 911 if you have an emergency!

With tonight's Storm. Please report any damage that might have occurred overnight to the Town of Durham CT Storm Hotline at 860 343-6735. Our Public Works Crews are working hard to ensure the roadways are clear for AM Commute. Stay Tuned for more updates.

As of 11:30 p.m., CL&P was reporting 3 power outages.

Update: 7:00 p.m.

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for the area. Snowfall totals of 4-8 inches is expected and the storm conditions will continue into Thursday morning.

The following message was left on the Residents of the Town of Durham Facebook page:

"I encourage everyone to stay off the roads tonight if possible and let the crews do their work. Looks like it will snow for a few more hours at least. Please stay safe."

Update 3:15 p.m.

So much for improving conditions. The winds have picked up considerably in the last couple of hours and it remains blustery, with snow continuing to fall.

The Durham P&Z and P&Z subcommittee meetings for this evening are cancelled.

The Durham Public Library will close at 4 p.m.

The Levi E. Coe library is now closed.

Update 1:10 p.m.

Public works and DOT crews are sanding and plowing roads and the conditions are improving. Main roads are slushy, but passable. The forecast originally called for a 1/2 inch of snow, but there's already a couple of inches on the ground. The forecast calls for rain Wednesday afternoon with wind gusts up to 48 mph.

Update 12:00 p.m.

A nor'easter has delievered the season's first snowfall and forced cancellations of afternoon activities.

• All afterschool and evening recreation programs (including those held at the Activity Center) will be cancelled for tonight, November 7, 2012, due to the weather.
• All After School Activities have been cancelled for today, November 7th.

If you're closing a business early, or want to share thoughts on the conditions outside, leave a comment for your neighbors below.

Original Story

On the heels of Hurricane Sandy a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for our region as a Nor'easter gains strength along the mid-Atlantic coast.

The National Weather Service advisory is in effect from 2 p.m. on Wednesday until 7 a.m. on Thursday. Areas in northern Connecticut, western and central Massachussetts, southern New Hampshire and Rhode Island could see as much as 1-4 inches of snow, according to a recent forecast.

The Hartford area could also see up to one tenth of an inch of ice, according to the NWS advisory.

Snow is expected to spread from the southern part of the affected region to the north beginning around mid-afternoon on Wednesday. Snow and freezing rain could accumulate before changing to light freezing rain or rain, according to the advisory.

Wind gusts up to 45 mph could accompany the storm as it passes to the northeast overnight.

The advisory warns drivers of slippery conditions as the storm develops and advises motorists to be extremely careful when crossing bridges and overpasses where ice can easily develop in the cold temperatures.

While Connecticut Light and Power officials are still monitoring the restoration process following Hurricane Sandy, they say they're prepared for the possiblity of severe weather over the next 24 hours.