Two-Hour Delayed Opening for Public Schools after Sleet-and-Snow Hit New Canaan; Town under Wind Advisory

Citing “icy road conditions” following a mix of snow-and-sleet that hit New Canaan through much of Sunday, district officials delayed public school openings by two hours Monday.

New Canaan Public Schools will open under the following schedule, according to a bulletin posted on the district’s website:

• NCHS – 9:30 a.m.
• Saxe Grades 7/8 – 9:30 a.m.
• Saxe Grades 5/6 – 10:20 a.m.
• South – 10:15 a.m.
• East and West – 11:05 a.m.

The National Weather Service put New Canaan and area towns under a Hazardous Weather Outlook and Wind Advisory through 6 p.m. Monday, as gusts are expected to hit 50 mph.

“Strong winds may blow down limbs, trees and power lines,” the weather service said. “Scattered outages are expected.”

As of 5:30 a.m., New Canaan had no reported power outages, according to Eversource, though neighboring Wilton had 59 and Ridgefield 88.

The weather service also warned that near-freezing temperatures overnight would create “black ice” hazards on the roads—deteriorating conditions that New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski said should make local motorists extra careful.

“Drive at less than the speed limit, keep lots of distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you, and the best option is to stay off the roads and if you do not have to drive, don’t,” Krolikowski said.

The poor weekend weather came on the heels of a snowstorm that forced officials to close school and public buildings on Thursday, and saw many businesses in downtown New Canaan also shutter earlier than usual.

Elm Street mainstay Pennyweights opened Sunday for its 25 percent off (of everything) Valentine’s Day sale. Owner Geoff Sigg said the snow “never helps” business.

“But hey, it’s all about the ladies, so get out here and do what you can do,” he said.