Traffic Moving Slowly Throughout Town

Traffic is flowing smoothly through a slushy mix of sleet and snow this afternoon. The mess is accumulating while the highway department waits for precipitation to stop before clearing it away.

"We’ve scraped and sanded all the roads and we’re allowing some snow to sit on the roads to absorb the freezing rain,” said Scott Zenke, Highway and Grounds superintendent. “Right now there’s traffic out there and snow is mulling up as we speak. They’re passable but be cautious, take your time and if you don’t have to be out, don’t.”

Zenke said trucks would be back out to clear the roads again once precipitation had stopped.

Farmington public schools canceled school Tuesday, leaving Noah Wallace EXCL open. Tunxis Community College closed for the day, too, while Westfarms mall opened on time. Town offices are open but a parking ban is in effect until Thursday morning.

The state Department of Transportation warned of slippery road conditions and reported several accidents on Interstate 84 that have slowed traffic.

Snow began in the pre-dawn hours Tuesday and is expected to mix with sleet after noon and then change to freezing rain around 2 p.m. A winter storm warning is in effect for Hartford County until 6 a.m. Wednesday and a total accumulation of 3 to 5inches is possible.

The National Weather Service warned that up to half an inch of ice might accumulate on top of the snow in parts of Hartford County. That ice could bring down tree branches and cause power failures, the weather service warned.

Tuesday morning Gov. Dannel Malloy ordered a partial activation of the state's Emergency Operation Center to monitor conditions. He warned that heavy snow already on roofs and other surfaces could become heavier with today's ice and rain and asked residents to report drooping power lines.

“I am urging everyone to take it slow on the roads, and if you don’t have to go out, please consider staying home until the plows have a chance to get through our roads following the morning commute,” Malloy said. “We are closely monitoring the situation and will make any necessary decisions in terms of staggered release or other actions later this morning. But in the meantime, please be safe and mindful of the elements at hand.”