*** Paul Piorek is editor and publisher of Paul's Local Weather Journal for southwestern Connecticut ... Paul is the on-air meteorologist at WICC 600 AM and 107.3 FM ... Paul is a New York Emmy award winner (2007), five-time Emmy nominee, and four-time winner of the Connecticut Associated Press Broadcasters' Association award for Best TV Weathercast (2006, 2008, 2009, 2012) ... Paul was voted Best Local Television Personality by the readers of Fairfield County Weekly Magazine (2012) ... Paul was inducted into the Housatonic Community College Hall of Fame and received the Distinguished Alumni Award (2012) ... The local weather journal is a two-time winner of the Communicator Award of Distinction (2012 & 2013) ... Paul is currently a full-time teacher of Earth Science and Mathematics in Fairfield ... Follow Paul on Twitter @PaulPiorekWICC ...

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Snow & Cold Affected Region One Year Ago Today

The first snowfall of the season affected much of southwestern Connecticut one year ago this morning, creating hazardous driving conditions during the early commute to work and school. A strong storm system in the Atlantic Ocean moved from East-to-West, bringing gusty winds and cold temperatures when the precipitation started around daybreak. Morning lows dipped into the 30s even along the shoreline.

The wind began howling as the storm slowly approached in the early hours of the morning, and it continued through the day. There was a Wind Advisory gusts over 40 miles an hour. Photographer Lori Golias took several photos from Route 127 on the Bridgeport/Trumbull line. She reported snow and sleet at her home.

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One of our receptionists, who lives in Weston, reported nearly an inch of snow on the hillier terrain. She said several drivers experienced some difficulty negotiating hills and curves in the snow and the wind. The storm, which was originally forecast to stay offshore and not directly impact the region, began "backing up" the day before, creating the mess on area roadways.

The wintry weather occured 57 years to the day of one of the earliest snowstorms on record in southwestern Connecticut. Nearly a half-foot (5.4") of snow fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford on Friday, November 6 (3.4") and Saturday, November 7 (2.0"), 1953.

Our weather will be anything but Wintry on this Election Day. Today will be mostly sunny and milder with a high temperature in the low-to-mid 60s. Tonight will be partly cloudy with patchy fog and a low in the 40s. Tomorrow will feature a mix of sun and clouds with highs in the 60s once again. Get out and vote.

Paul