Connecticut, situated in the northeastern United States, experiences a true four-season climate. The state’s latitude exposes it to both cold continental air masses from the interior of North America and the moistening influence of the Atlantic Ocean, creating conditions ripe for snowfall. Residents should expect a winter that regularly includes snow accumulation, ranging from light dustings to significant, multi-day storms.
Typical Annual Snowfall and Seasonality
The average annual snowfall across Connecticut varies significantly by region, generally falling within a wide range of 30 to over 50 inches per year. The snow season typically begins in late November or early December, though occasional flakes can fall as early as late October in the state’s highest elevations. The period of most reliable and heaviest snowfall runs from January through February, which are consistently the coldest months of the year.
The winter season usually concludes by late March, though a final, sometimes substantial, snowfall in early April is not uncommon. For example, inland locations like Hartford average about 51.7 inches of snow annually, while the town of Norfolk, in the state’s northwestern corner, can see annual totals exceeding 70 inches.
Geographic Variation in Snow Accumulation
The state’s relatively small size belies significant differences in accumulation driven primarily by elevation and proximity to the ocean. The southern and southeastern coastal areas, including cities like Bridgeport and Groton, consistently receive the lowest annual totals. This is due to the moderating effect of the Long Island Sound, which remains relatively warmer than the air during the winter, often causing precipitation to fall as rain or a wintry mix instead of snow.
In contrast, the Northwest Hills, particularly Litchfield County, experience the highest snowfall amounts. These areas have higher elevations and are farther inland, leading to colder temperatures and less effect from the Atlantic’s moderating warmth. This results in annual accumulation that can be more than double the totals seen along the immediate shoreline. For instance, while coastal Bridgeport averages around 33.6 inches, the inland town of Torrington averages over 59 inches annually.
Notable Historical Snow Events
While average annual totals provide a baseline, Connecticut is susceptible to major snowstorms that can deliver extreme amounts of snow in a short period. One such example is the famed Blizzard of 1888, which paralyzed the Northeast with winds up to 85 miles per hour and reportedly caused snowdrifts up to 40 feet high in parts of New Haven.
More recently, the state saw the intense Blizzard of 1978, which dropped over 20 inches of snow across much of the region over a 33-hour period. Another significant event was the February 2013 Nor’easter, also known as Winter Storm Nemo, where a 24-hour snowfall record was set in the state, with some inland towns like Hamden reporting accumulations of 40 inches. These historical storms illustrate the potential intensity of winter weather in Connecticut.