HARTFORD, Conn. — The rain and the wind may have subsided, but winter will make an actual appearance as temperatures drop drastically Friday afternoon, freezing over any remaining wet spots from the rain.
Gov. Ned Lamont is advising residents to get their travels and holiday shopping out of the way before temperatures get below freezing.
"I strongly urge everyone to get to where you need to be before temperatures drop this evening because the roads will become very slick,” Lamont said.
He explained that state crews are waiting until the rain ends in order to treat the roads with salt, otherwise the treatment will wash away too soon.
The FOX61 Weather Watch team forecasts temperatures will dip down by 6 p.m. into the 20s, even high teens in western Connecticut.
There's already a severe cold weather protocol underway, and it's been extended through Tuesday. Warming shelters are open across the state for the holiday weekend, including at the Arroyo Rec Center at Pope Park in Hartford. For a full list of warming centers, visit 211's interactive database.
If staying inside is not an option, do not underestimate the power of dressing in layers. The National Weather Service advises wearing two or three top layers, a warm hat, gloves, and waterproof boots.
Powering up a generator must be done outside. Do not use a generator inside, including the garage, even if the doors and windows are open, emergency officials for the Town of Westport advise.
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