A storm system that has already dropped heavy snow on parts of the southern Plains will continue to develop as it moves up the Eastern Seaboard late Friday into Saturday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

“The system has the potential to bring a wintry mix of precipitation to the Mid-Atlantic and New England [regions], though it is not expected to be a major snow producer,” NWS had posted on its website Friday afternoon.

There is a 100 percent expectation that Newtown will have a wintry mix on Saturday, the weather service is also predicting.

Director of Public Works Fred Hurley says Highway Department crews are ready for it.

“The trucks are all loaded, they’re ready to go,” Mr Hurley said Friday afternoon. “We have plenty of salt, and plenty of sand.

“We anticipate we will be going out early in the morning, because the storm may be coming in at 1 or 2 am. As soon as it arrives, we’ll be out on the roads.”

At 3:36 pm Friday, NWS-New York City issued a Winter Storm Warning for Putnam, northern Fairfield and northern New Haven counties. The warning is in effect from midnight to 6 pm EST Saturday. Heavy wet snow is expected in the warning area.

“Accumulations … snow accumulation of 5 to 8 inches … with up to a tenth of an inch of ice across northern New Haven and northern Fairfield counties,” the warning says in party. “Visibility … one quarter mile or less at times.

“Snowfall rates … 1 inch per hour early Saturday morning into mid Saturday afternoon.

“Temperatures … around 30.

“Timing … snow begins late tonight. The heaviest snow will be early Saturday morning into Saturday afternoon. Snow tapers off in the evening,” the warning states. “Treacherous travel conditions are expected due to a wintry mix of snow/sleet/ice. The weight of the heavy wet snow accumulations could knock down some trees limbs and power lines.”

Temperatures tonight will have a low of about 25 degrees. A calm wind will begin moving southeast, about 5 mph, after midnight, according to NWS. Total nighttime snow accumulation is expected to be 1 to 3 inches.

Snow will continue until around 10 am before switching to freezing rain “possibly mixed with snow. The snow could be heavy at times,” said NWS. Temperatures will be 33 degrees at the highest, with wind chill values between 20 and 25 degrees thanks to a northwest wind of 5-13 mph. New ice accumulation will amount to less than 0.1 of an inch, but new snow accumulation could be between 3 and 5 inches.

Saturday night will continue to host a “change of snow, mainly before 7 pm,” according to NWS. It will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 24 degrees and wind chill values between 15 and 20 degrees. Chance of additional precipitation at that time will be 30 percent.

The worst of the storm should be over by this time.

Sunday will dawn “mostly sunny, with a high near 33. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph.” Sunday’s overnight will have only “a slight chance of snow between 1 am and 2 am” and Monday is also predicted to have just “a chance of snow between 1 pm and 2 pm.”

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) said Friday afternoon that it was readied its fleet of plow trucks, materials and personnel to clear and salt state roadways. The department is responsible for snow-clearing operations on more than 5,000 two-lane miles of roadway. In addition to 632 state plow trucks, the department also has 104 heavy front loaders, 12 industrial snow throwers, salt, fuel and other supplies and support equipment across the state.

The CTDOT plow fleet of 632 trucks, stationed at roughly 50 garages around the state, is prepared for deployment as weather conditions evolve, the department said via press release.

Current forecasts indicate that the entire state fleet will be in use. If needed, the department can add 200 private contractors to further compliment state plow crews.

Limited pre-treatment of highway bridges and other problematic sections of highways using a salt-brine solution began on Thursday and will continue today in preparation for the approaching storm.

Because travel conditions are expected to be poor across much of the state, the DOT is advising motorists to avoid unnecessary travel if possible.

Governor Dannel P. Malloy had not issued any travel restrictions or bans as of Friday, but the decision had been made to have all Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) office be closed on Saturday “due to the anticipated weather conditions,” according to a post on the Facebook page for the governor’s office. “Anyone with a scheduled road test or learner’s permit test can call and schedule a new date,” the post continued.

Cancellations, Postponements

Newtown schools have already responded to this weekend’s expected weather, canceling a number of events due to the expected storm (see related story).

Newtown artist DeAnn Prosia was planning to celebrate the opening of a one-artist exhibition, “The Never Ending Line: the line etchings of DeAnn L. Prosia” on Saturday at Ridgefield Guild of Artists. Organizers decided by late Friday morning to move the opening reception to its snow date of Sunday, January 25. The reception will run from 4 to 6 pm, concurrent with the reception for “Humor Me!” a themed members show also going on view at RGA. The gallery is at 34 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield; call 203-438-8863 or visit rgoa.org for additional information.

Readers, groups and individuals with events planned for Saturday — or even Sunday, if this storm hangs around — that will be affected due to the weather are invited to contact Bee Associate Editor Shannon Hicks with this information. Call 203-426-3141 before 6 pm Friday or send email to shannon@thebee.com or thenewtownbee@gmail.com at any hour.

Messages left on the office answering machine after 6 pm will not be heard until Monday, January 26.

Owners of businesses that will be opening late or closing early are also welcome to contact Ms Hicks, who will also help get that word out