Winter Wakes Up

After a relatively mild season that included temperatures in the 50s, winter woke up like a bear from hibernation.

A New England classic, Storm Niko dumped around a foot of blowing snow at a rate of 2 to 4 inches per hour during its height, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. yesterday. Unlike January’s storm, which had the courtesy to strike on a weekend, Niko made its appearance just in time for the work day.

There was ample warning. School and activity closings were announced Wednesday night and doctors’ officers were busy canceling and rescheduling appointments throughout the day. Weather reporters were pumped with anticipation.

Most towns on the shoreline received about a foot of snow. Roads were still not in a tip-top form today (Friday) so Branford school officials announced this morning that all schools would be closed today as well ​“due to weather related recovery efforts.” Check the Board of Education website for updates regarding evening activities and weekend school events.

This cardinal and his friends at the bright blue feeder made a beautiful contrast against the snow.

Photographer Bill O’Brien’s dogs, Lily and Tuukka frolicked in the snow, albeit briefly before hightailing back to their warm house.

These stoic cats seemed unfazed by the snow and wind.

Sweeping in on schedule in the early morning hours, the storm quickly caused highway chaos though traffic was relatively light. Tractor trailers slid off the highway and the Interstate 95 and its exits from west to east were closed at various times yesterday. Interstate 91, the Merritt Parkway, and the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge were also closed. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy suspended bus service and encouraged people to stay home.

In Branford, Capt. Ray Dunbar of Branford’s Emergency Management Office/Branford Police, said responses were ​“mainly for stuck vehicles and some parking lot incidents.” He added that a tree took down some wires on Home Place. Branford Fire Department reported that wires were also down on Pawson Road.

Plows were out doing their job.

Dunbar said the power company had full crews and that most people took the governor’s advice and stayed home. Why not? Play like the birds.

The Eversource outage map showed 124 customers without power around mid-afternoon.

After murmurings about blizzard-like conditions, it was ​“officially” announced that Niko was indeed a blizzard, qualifying on the basis of sustained winds of more than 35 mph and visibility of less than a quarter of a mile for about three hours.

That was certainly evident at Branford Point.

As predicted, Niko dumped the bulk of its snow by late afternoon, leaving behind dropping temperatures and winds to finish sculpting the drifts.

Obviously, it would be a while before anyone would be playing ball on Hammer Field.

Let the cleanup begin. 

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