Update: Snowy Day 2: Trains Back, Wind Still Chills

Update 3:53 p.m.:

The Darien Community Association has a new date for Charles Freedman III's academic lecture on China and the Internet. It's now scheduled for 10 a.m., Feb. 7.

Update 3:51 p.m.:

Ten inches -- that's the total amount of snow that fell on Darien, according to a Connecticut Department of Transportation gauge. Cities and towns nearby got about as much.

The snow was lighter elsewhere in Connecticut and heavier in New York City and New Jersey. Here's a link to the National Weather Service list of snowfall amounts in the region.

Update 2:10 p.m.:

Waiting for the snow and ice to melt? Don't hold your breath. There isn't a temperature above freezing in the entire week's Darien-specific forecast from the National Weather Service (as of 1:56 p.m.):

• Wednesday afternoon: Mostly sunny, with a high near 15. Wind chill values as low as -3. Northwest wind around 16 mph.
• Wednesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 0. Wind chill values as low as -9. Northwest wind 7 to 11 mph.
• Thursday: A slight chance of snow showers between 1pm and 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 20. Wind chill values as low as -9. West wind 7 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
  
• Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 7. Wind chill values as low as -8. Northwest wind 9 to 11 mph.
• Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 18. Northwest wind 10 to 16 mph.
• Friday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16.
• Saturday: A chance of snow after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
• Saturday night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 22.
• Sunday night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
• Monday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
• Monday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 9.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 21.

Update 2:03 p.m.:

Darien Community Association's academic lecture on China and the Internet, originally scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, is cancelled because the speaker couldn't make it, the DCA has announced:

"Oh no the snow! Unfortunately Charles Freeman III is unable to make it to Darien in time for tomorrow's presentation."

Update 12:39 a.m.:

New Haven Line service is back, according to this 12:07 p.m. tweet from Metro-North:

"Metro-North is operating a regular weekday schedule on the Hudson, Harlem/New Haven Line-Train service is now operating on/close to schedule."

Update 9:06 a.m.:

Metro-North has issued this service-status statement about train service at 8:29 a.m.:

Trains are currently operating with scattered delays of up to 15 minutes in both directions. Some trains continue to be combined due to weather-related conditions. Please listen for station announcements, be sure to continue to check www.mta.info and listen to the media for updates.

Update 9:00 a.m.:

All Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles road tests scheduled before 10 a.m. have been cancelled (others take place as scheduled).

Otherwise, all DMV offices are open as usual (on the other hand, check the DMV website before you go, a department spokesman advises).

Update 8:53 a.m.:

Darien Town Hall will open late, at 9:30 a.m. due to the weather, according to the town government website.

Update 8:49 a.m.:

Metro-North's latest statement on train service sounds more hopeful than the previous statement, late Tuesday. Here it is:

For Wednesday, Jan. 22, Metro-North is operating a regular weekday schedule on the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Lines. Delays and train combinations are likely depending upon the severity of the storm and its impact on our service territory.

The decisions to cancel or combine trains will be based upon the condition of our track and power systems, the number of train cars available, and the location and availability of our crews.  Every effort will be made to minimize the impact on our customers.

Customers should listen for station announcements, be sure to continue to check this web site and listen to the media for updates.

For full schedules go to our schedules page.

Update 8:42 a.m.:

Darien Public Schools are on a two-hour delay.

Original article:

The snowy weather, predicted to include wind gusts of as much as 29 mph and wind chills as low as minus 12 degrees in Darien, is degrading train service Wednesday on the New Haven Line.

Metro-North Railroad will operate 80 percent to 85 percent of its normal weekday service [...]," the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced on its website late Tuesday. "[S]ome trains will be combined and some delays possible based on the condition of track and power systems, the number of train cars available and the availability of crews."

The Darien YMCA closed at 6 p.m. Tuesday and was not due to open until 9 a.m. Wednesday, the organization announced on its website.

Here's the Darien-specific forecast from the National Weather Service as of 11:56 p.m. Tuesday:

• Wednesday: A slight chance of snow before 9am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 16. Wind chill values as low as -12. Northwest wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
• Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 1. Wind chill values as low as -7. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.
• Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 18. Wind chill values as low as -7. Light northwest wind increasing to 9 to 14 mph in the morning.
• Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 4. Northwest wind 11 to 14 mph.
• Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 17.
• Friday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12.

The MTA announcement also stated:

"Service patterns will differ across the MTA network based on how the operating agencies were affected by the storm, which ranged from light snow in the lower Hudson Valley to large bands and heavy drifts on Long Island.

"The New York City subway system expects to run close to normal service Wednesday, with express service restored during the morning rush hour as trains that were stored on express tracks begin to move.

"New York City buses will run at 80 to 90 perecent of normal levels, depending on customer demand. All articulated buses and most standard buses will have chains on their tires. Service is subject to change based on street conditions. [...]

"Customers should be extremely careful on all station platforms and staircases, and should plan for extra travel time. The most up-to-date information on MTA service status is always available at www.mta.info. For immediate notice of service changes, customers can sign up for email or test alerts at www.mymtaalerts.com. For weekend service changes, visit www.mta.info/weekender."