Blizzard of 2026 Delivers Heavy Snow & Damaging Winds to Southwestern Connecticut

The Blizzard of Sunday and Monday, February 22 and 23, 2026, delivered the most snow to southwestern Connecticut in 13 years. In fact, the Winter storm brought the season snowfall total to 54.6 inches and pushed the monthly total to 21.4 inches, making it the second snowiest February on record at the Bridgeport climate station. 

Bridgeport hit the jackpot in southwestern Connecticut with 20 inches of snow, just behind New Fairfield's 21 inches, as reported by the National Weather Service.

The numbers were even more impressive in southwestern Connecticut. North Stonington reported more than 30 inches, while Mystic (24"), Madison (22.1"), New London (21.5"), and Pawcatuck (20.5") eclipsed the 20-inch mark.

The wind was also an issue throughout the Winter storm. peak wind gusts of 53 mph and 51 mph were reported at Bridgeport and Fairfield, respectively. Groton, in the southeastern part of Connecticut, clocked a 68 mph wind gust Monday at 7:19 a.m.

Paul

Blizzard Warning Issued for Southwestern Connecticut Sunday & Monday

A Blizzard Warning will be in effect for Fairfield and New Haven counties from Sunday at 1 p.m. through Monday at 6 p.m. EST: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) February 21, 2026 at 3:47 PM

Nearly one-and-a-half feet of snow is expected across southwestern Connecticut through Monday at 7 p.m. EST.

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) February 21, 2026 at 6:35 PM

A Coastal Flood Warning will be in effect for southern Fairfield and New Haven counties Monday from 12 a.m. until 5 a.m. EST: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) February 21, 2026 at 3:48 PM

Paul

Major Winter Storm to Affect Southwestern Connecticut Late Sunday Into Monday

Six-to-ten inches of snow are expected across southwestern Connecticut through Monday at 7 p.m. EST.

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) February 20, 2026 at 4:14 PM

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Fairfield and New Haven counties from Sunday at 6 a.m. until Monday at 6 p.m. EST: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) February 20, 2026 at 4:13 PM

Paul

Marking the 23rd Anniversary of the Presidents' Day Blizzard of 2003

Today, February 17, marks the 23rd anniversary of the unforgettable Presidents Day Blizzard of 2003. It ranked as the snowiest day on record at the time at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, tying the previous mark of 16 inches established on December 19, 1948. In New York's Central Park, where records date back well over a century, the 19.8 inches ranked as the fifth snowiest single day total. 

The snowfall totals across southwestern Connecticut were impressive. Darien and New Canaan measured the most snow (20 inches), while Westport (19"), Bridgeport (17"), Norwalk (16"), and Milford (15") also posted impressive totals. New Fairfield, in Northern Fairfield County, led the way locally with exactly two feet of snow. 

The magnitude of the storm was quite impressive. It spread heavy snow across the major cities in the Northeast from Washington to Boston. In fact, it was the biggest snowstorm on record in Baltimore (28.2") and Boston (27.5"). The storm actually developed in the southern Rockies on February 14 and moved through southern Missouri and the lower Tennessee Valley over the next two days. Eventually, the storm brought heavy rain and severe weather to the deep South.

In the Northeast, Arctic air helped slow down the storm and kept all of the precipitation in the form of snow and some sleet. By late Sunday evening, February 16, the snow reached the New York City area, and by midnight, it was snowing across all of southwestern Connecticut. A secondary area of low pressure developed off the Virginia coast the morning of February 17, turning the Nor'easter into a full-blown blizzard.

Paul

Nearly Eight Inches of Snow Fell at Bridgeport Two Years Ago Today

The Bridgeport climate station recorded more than seven inches (7.6") of snow two years ago today (February 13, 2024), pushing the season total to 13.1" through the date.

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) February 13, 2026 at 11:24 AM

Paul

Winter Weather Advisory Issued for Southwestern Connecticut

A Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect for Fairfield and New Haven counties from Tuesday at 6 p.m. until Wednesday at 6 a.m. EST: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 11:38 AM

Paul

Frigid Wind Chills Across Southwestern Connecticut Saturday & Sunday

Here are the frigid minimum wind chill reports for Fairfield County from Saturday, February 7, and Sunday, February 8, 2026, courtesy of the National Weather Service.

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 4:15 PM

Paul

Historic Snowstorm Crippled Region 13 Years Ago This Weekend

A historic snowstorm dumped nearly three feet of snow in Fairfield and snow drifts of four-to-five feet from Friday, February 8, through Saturday, February 9, 2013. The snow began falling just after 7 o'clock Friday morning, February 8, and became steadier and heavier throughout the day and night. A Blizzard Warning was issued for the entire state, and heavy snow combined with gusty winds to produce near-whiteout conditions Friday night.

By the time all was said and done, it was almost impossible to open my kitchen door and go outside late Saturday morning. The snow-level was so high that the door would not open easily. The daunting task of shoveling the snow off the steps, sidewalk, and driveway almost seemed impossible when I stepped outside. I knew that I had to take my time due to the 40-plus mile-an-hour wind gusts, wind chill values in the teens, and my advancing age. After about an hour, I began making progress.

According to the National Weather Service, Fairfield hit the jackpot with the most snow in Fairfield County with 35 inches. However, regionally, Milford topped the list with 38 inches. That's more than the normal amount of snow for the entire Winter season. The snowiest Winter on record, however, happened 27 years ago when Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford reported 78" from 1995-96. Here's a view of my street from Saturday afternoon, February 9, 2013.

Here are the totals from the National Weather Service:

• Milford: 38"
• Fairfield: 35"
• Stratford: 33"
• Monroe: 30"
• Bridgeport: 30"
• Weston: 26.5"
• Shelton: 26.5"
• Westport: 24.5"
• Greenwich: 22.5"
• Darien: 22.1"
• Norwalk: 22"
• New Canaan: 22"
• Danbury: 21.5"
• Stamford: 19"
• Newtown: 17.1"
• Bethel: 16"
• Ridgefield: 12"

The storm was the result of a combination of a strong coastal low which moved up the Atlantic seaboard and an approaching front to the North and West. The two systems merged and the storm exploded Friday night. Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy closed the state roads, much like the late-Gov. Ella Grasso 35 years earlier during the Blizzard of 1978. A snowplow driver got stuck in the snow in front of my house and abandoned his vehicle Saturday morning. It sat there for more than two days.

The second part of the storm entered into a colder environment late Friday night and with plenty of moisture it resulted in intense banding and a powdery, wind-driven snow between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. That resulted in snow totals which were much greater than expected. Fortunately, damaging winds and severe coastal flooding issues were not as severe and certainly not as widespread as feared. However, many people lost power.

Paul

Extreme Cold Warning and Wind Advisory Issued for Southwestern Connecticut

An Extreme Cold Warning will be in effect for Fairfield and New Haven counties from Saturday at 1 p.m. until Sunday at 1 p.m. EST: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 7:23 AM

A Wind Advisory will be in effect for Fairfield and New Haven counties from Saturday at 9 a.m. until Sunday at 12 a.m. EST: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 7:21 AM

Paul

Punxsutawney Phil: "Six More Weeks of Winter Abound"

Punxsutawney Phil: "It is my job this February 2 to look to the skies and report back to you that there is a shadow here on my ground. Six more weeks of Winter abound."

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) February 2, 2026 at 7:57 AM

February's Full Snow Moon Happens Today at 5:09 p.m. EST

You may have noticed how the Moon has been growing --- or waxing --- over the last two weeks. We didn't see much of the Moon last night, but we will be able to partially see it after it reaches Full Moon stage. That happens at 5:09 p.m. EST this evening. The Moon will rise at 4:59 p.m. local time this afternoon and will set at 7:36 a.m. tomorrow.

So, how did the February Full Moon get its name, anyway? Since the heaviest snow usually falls during this month, native tribes of the North and East most often called February's Full Moon the Full Snow Moon. Some tribes also referred to this Moon as the Full Hunger Moon, since harsh weather conditions in their areas made hunting very difficult.

Remember, Full Moon names date back to the days of the Native Americans, who lived in what is now the Northern and Eastern United States. The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring Full Moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. There was some variation in the Moon names, but in general, the same ones were current throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior.

This Moon has also been known as the Full Storm Moon and Full Candles Moon. A Full Moon rises at about the same time the Sun is setting. Since the length of daylight continues to grow each day through the Summer Solstice, today's Full Moon will rise a little later than it did in December or January. In addition, this Full Moon will appear still fairly high in the sky since we're still in Winter.

Paul