Resource links and notices of closings are at the end of this story.
[T]he winter storm hitting Vermont today and tomorrow has intensified.
Yesterday, forecasters said the entire state could get 12 to 18 inches, starting Tuesday afternoon.
The snowfall is now predicted to be much heavier with total accumulations of 18 to 26 inches, according to the National Weather Service in Burlington. Most parts of the state will get 2 feet of snow.
The winter storm will start earlier today than originally thought, too, with snowfall beginning at 7 a.m. The storm watch is in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Blizzard conditions are predicted for the western side of the state. In the map above, the red area is the blizzard zone; in the pink area, a winter storm watch is in effect.
Snowfall rates will be greater than 2 inches per hour this afternoon through the evening. Unnecessary travel is strongly discouraged during this period. The National Weather Service warns that there will be whiteout conditions and visibility could be a quarter of a mile or less at times.
Gusty winds and drifting snow are predicted for early Wednesday morning.
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
Go to www.weather.gov/Burlington for updates.
The Vermont State Police requests that the public not call emergency dispatch or 911 for road conditions. During storms, dispatchers are busy taking emergency calls and helping first responders.
Please visit http://vtstatepolice.blogspot.com/ or http://vtrans.vermont.gov/operations/winter for road information. You can also get road, weather, and other alerts sent to you through Vermont alert: http://vtalert.gov.
For driving safety tips visit: http://demhs.vermont.gov/preparedness/driving
Reminders from Vermont Emergency Management:
Keep snow from heat and exhaust vents to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure carbon monoxide detectors are working.
Never use a generator indoors.
Check on neighbors who need special assistance
Overexertion while shoveling can bring on a heart attack.
Additional resources
DEMHS on Facebook: www.facebook.com/vermontemergencymanagement
DEMHS on Twitter: twitter.com/vemvt (@vemvt)
Vermont State Police on Twitter: @vtstatepolice
Vermont State Police on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VermontStatePolice/
VTrans on Facebook: www.facebook.com/vtransontheroad
VTrans on Twitter: twitter.com/511vt (@511vt)
Vermont Department of Health on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealthVermont/
Vermont Department of Health on Twitter: twitter.com/healthvermont (@HealthVermont)
National Weather Service Burlington on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSBurlington/
National Weather Service Burlington on Twitter: (@NWSBurlington)
National Weather Service Albany on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSAlbany/
National Weather Service Albany on Twitter: (@NWSAlbany)
Notices of closings and delays
• VSECU (Vermont State Employees Credit Union) will close all of its branches at noon today (March 14) and will delay opening until 10 a.m. tomorrow.
• Greyhound is canceling all routes starting at 3 a.m. Tuesday. Further, Premier Coach and Vermont Tranlines are also canceling service on VT Tranlines routes March 14. Depending on the severity and length of the storm it is possible that all aforementioned services will be canceled again.
• The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board waterfowl hearings for Tuesday, March 14, in Whitehall, New York, and Wednesday, March 15, in Essex, Vermont, have been cancelled due to heavy snow predicted. The Essex meeting will now take place on Wednesday, March 22, at 6:30 p.m. There is not yet a date finalized for the Whitehall meeting. The hearing scheduled for Thursday, March 16 in Newport, Vermont will take place as planned. All hearings will run from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
• State offices have been authorized to be completely closed effective beginning at noon Tuesday. Only specifically authorized employees should report for work. The state HR website and the Emergency Information Phone Line (800) 644-4402) will be updated as information changes.
