Arctic Air Cancels Activities as Officials Open Additional Warming Centers

Middletowners awoke Friday to four and a half inches of snow on the ground, temperatures in the low teens and a wind chill factor that plunged the mercury into single-digit territory.

Bundle up if you're going out Friday evening! NBC Connecticut says Middletown could see a low of minus 7 degrees, while WTNH 8 Meteorologist Quincy Vagell says there is a slight bit of warming on the horizon.

"Bitterly cold today and especially tonight, but then temperatures start to warm up. Don't get too excited though, another Arctic blast is on the way for early next week," Vagell wrote on Facebook.

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On Friday, driving on secondary and tertiary streets is causing some vehicles to fishtail in spots, but overall, the roads are being cleared regularly by Middletown Public Works trucks. An early morning accident forced Middletown Police to close off north-bound traffic on Main Street at Dingwall Drive and Court Street. 

On Thursday, AAA's Roadside Rescue Team received 1,122 calls for emergency road service in Greater Hartford and eastern Connecticut (Hartford, Middlesex, Tolland, Windham, and New London counties). So far Friday, it has received another 469 calls for jump starts, lockouts, vehicles off the road, and flat tires, as well as a few motorists in need of fuel.

Check back with Middletown Patch throughout the day for up-to-the-minute news.

And we're not out of the clear yet. The Weather Channel says another storm is on the way, a wintry mix beginning Sunday that will push more Arctic cold our way.

Closings and Cancellations

• The Russell Library is open at 10 a.m. 
• The Buttonwood Tree is closed
• The Middlesex YMCA snow day program is closed and the Y will have a delayed opening of 11 a.m.
• Middlesex Community College is closed
• Green Street Arts Center is closed
• Middletown Parks and Recreations activities canceled
• The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles Middletown Photo License Center at Main Street Market is open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• All Wesleyan libraries — Art, Olin and Science — are open today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
  

The lobby of the Middletown Police Department, 222 Main Street, open 24 hours a day, will serve as a warming station. Other public facilities such as City Hall and Russell Library on Broad Street during normal business hours. 

Elderly persons are encouraged to use the Middletown Senior Center on William Street. Times of operation over the weekend may change, so it is advised to call (860) 638-4540 first.

The Middletown Fire Department also offers important tips on how to successfully survive the cold.

Did we miss any closings postponements or cancelations? Please add them in the comments section below.

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