As the Northern Hemisphere approaches the Spring Equinox, scheduled for 12:15 pm Tuesday, March 20, the fourth nor'easter in as many weeks approaches the region.Cancellation And Other Weather Related Notices Invitedshannon@thebee.com).

The National Weather Service (NWS) is currently predicting another nor'easter for this week. The storm will be the East Coast counterpart to an equally significant storm heading toward the West Coast.

"Heavy rain along the west coast, especially, in southern California will bring a threat of mud and debris flows from burn scars," the weather service posted on its website Tuesday morning. "Severe thunderstorms with potential for damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes may occur across the Florida Peninsula and portions of the Southeast.

"Another Nor'easter will bring snow and gusty winds to the Middle Atlantic and Northeast," the post continued.

Accumulating snow is expected from parts of the Ohio valley, central/southern Appalachians into the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England, according to the NWS forecast. A coastal storm could potentially bring heavy snow and gusty winds to portions of the Northeast coast on Wednesday.

Newtown itself will be under at Winter Storm Warning again this week. Fairfield and New Haven counties, as well as northern Middlesex and all of Nassau County in New York, will be under a warning that will go into effect at midnight tonight. That warning will remain in effect for 32 hours, until 8 am, Thursday, March 22.

Heavy mixed winter precipitation transitioning to heavy snow is expected. Total snow accumulations of 11 to 15 inches and light ice accumulations are expected, according to the NWS briefing issued at 3:44 am Tuesday.

As with the most recent snow storms, the weather service is saying "travel will be very difficult to impossible. Tree branches could fall. Expect significant reductions in visibility at times" during the period the Winter Storm Warning is in effect.

A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet and ice will make travel very hazardous or impossible. Strong winds are also expected.

Local businesses, groups, clubs and other organizations with plans that need to be changed due to the weather are invited to contact Associate Editor Shannon Hicks (

Notices will be posted on our website and through our social media outlets (Facebook and Twitter) as they are received. There is no fee for this service.

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[naviga:img class="aligncenter wp-image-310387" src="https://newtownbee.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/NWS-Tuesday-morning-snow-update.png" alt="NWS Tuesday morning snow update" width="800" height="600" /]

The latest forecast from the National Weather Service, issued at 6:31 am Tuesday, March 20, is showing snowfall 15-16 inches for Newtown once a nor'easter reaches the area during the Tuesday-Wednesday overnight.

-National Weather Service graphic