A quick moving snow storm — a squall — moved through the region Wednesday afternoon, bringing with it very strong winds and leaving about an inch of snow in its wake. Below normal temperatures, according to the National Weather Service, have also remained in the area. 

The National Weather Service (NWS) had been warning of the approaching weather event for much of the day. The weather service even [naviga:u]issued a Snow Squall Warning [/naviga:u]early Wednesday afternoon, alerting residents to the approaching snow and its whiteout conditions. The squall arrived in town around 4:30, just as an extended warning was expiring.

Public Works and CT DOT crews were on the roads, spreading sand on the town and state roadways. 

Newtown Police Sergeant Jeffrey Silver told The Newtown Bee on Thursday morning that there was one motor vehicle incident during the duration of the storm, which lasted approximately 90 minutes. The incident was minor in nature, according to Sgt Silver.

In the wake of the squall, temperatures have dropped significantly. Arctic air and gusty winds continue to impact a significant portion of the Upper Midwest into the Northeast, according to NWS. Despite plenty of sunshine, very cold temperatures are expected on Thursday, with highs rising only into the teens in the tri-state area, also according to the weather service. 

“This is approximately 20 to 25 degrees below normal for this time of year,” according to a January 31 NWS Regional Weather Summary. “While winds will gradually diminish throughout the day, wind chill values are only expected to rise to around zero by afternoon.

“Another cold night is then expected tonight, with lows once again falling into the single digits across a large portion of the area. As winds continue to diminish, wind chill values will generally range between 5 degrees below zero and 5 degrees above through the overnight hours.”

Town officials remind residents that resources are available for local residents.

“This is a gentle reminder to remain vigilant about cold weather preparedness,” a notice released Wednesday afternoon by First Selectman Dan Rosenthal and the Emergency Management Team stated in part. “We know its winter and we live in New England, but we don’t want anyone to suffer complications from the cold.”

The town officials are encouraging residents to make appropriate preparations to ensure personal safety and readiness for themselves, family members, and pets. 

“We ask that you please check on any elderly or frail neighbors to be certain they are doing OK in this weather,” the notice continued.

Residents are welcome at the locations listed below to seek relief from the cold:

Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street within Fairfield Hills, Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 8 pm; and Friday 8 am to 5 pm;

Cyrenius H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street (203-426-4533), open Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am to 8 pm; Friday, 11 am to 5 pm; Saturday, 9:30 am to 5 pm; and Sunday, 12 to 5 pm; 

Newtown Senior Center, 14 Riverside Road (203-270-4310), open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm; and [naviga:u]NewtownBee.com/calendar[/naviga:u] for movie listings). 

Edmond Town Hall Theatre, 45 Main Street, which is open 8 am to 11 pm (call 203 426-2475 or visit

Important numbers and contact information:

If there is a Life Safety Emergency, call 911;

Connecticut’s free information and referral service: call 211 or visit [naviga:u]211.org[/naviga:u];

Power outage, call Eversource at 800-286-2000;

CodeRED, [naviga:u]the town’s free emergency notification system[/naviga:u] that sends automated messages to those who are registered, can be accessed under Emergency Management on the Public Safety page on the Town of Newtown’s website ([naviga:u]newtown-ct.gov/emergency-management[/naviga:u]) or call 203-270-4370 for assistance;

Smart 911, which [naviga:u]provides details to dispatchers[/naviga:u], can also be accessed through the Emergency Management on the Public Safety page on the Town of Newtown’s website ([naviga:u]newtown-ct.gov/emergency-management[/naviga:u]);

Check News on the Town website ([naviga:u]newtown-ct.gov[/naviga:u]), where residents are also encouraged to register to receive news from Town officials;

First Selectman’s office, 203-270-4201;

Emergency Management/Fire Marshal, 203-270-4370;

Newtown Health District, 203- 270-4291; and 

The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, contact Associate Editor Shannon Hicks (203-426-3141 or [naviga:u]shannon@thebee.com[/naviga:u]) with postponement or cancellation notices. Watch The Newtown Bee website and social media pages (Facebook and Twitter) for storm updates as well.