[Airam]

Hello! After extensive research I have decided to move with my children to Guilford. I visited once many years ago and have never forgotten the charm of that town.

I am fortunate (through very hard work!) in that costs of housing/living are not an issue for me; I know that I can afford to live in Guilford. The issue for me is going to be the winter season. I have a pretty good idea of what to expect, but exactly how bad does it get? Will I be stranded in my house because of the weather? My biggest fear is the power going out in the middle of winter; does that happen often?

I would really love to hear from people who are familar with the winter season in Guilford. I know that many of you will say that I should just visit there and see if I like it or can tolerate it. But I don't have the time for that, I want to move very soon, before my children start school. I wish I had found this forum sooner!

The only other issue I can think of is the fact that I am a single mother; will we be looked down on in Guilford for being a single parent household? I hope not, I always give more than I take from a community.

I don't think there can be any reply negative enough to keep me from moving to Guilford; I'm already packed! Maybe just allay my fears a bit. I'd like to know what I'm getting myself into.

Thank you in advance for any replies; I really appreciate it. Maria

[JayCT]

In Guilford you can expect a few snow storms a year and maybe a couple of power outages. Snow is not a big thing here and the roads will be cleared within a few hours of it stopping. They are very careful about sending children to school when it snows so you can expect to have several snow days each year. Power outages are usually repaired in a couple of hours as well depending where you live. It really shouldn't be a big deal. When it snows go out and enjoy it. Build snowmen, sled, make snow angels, have a snow ball fight. I love it.

In today's age, single parents are everywhere. You will not be looked down upon. Guilford is a beautiful town with a lot of great people. You made an excellent choice of where to live. You and your children will love it. Good luck with your move and welcome to Connecticut. Jay

[skytrekker]

Guilford can be mild or cold, depending on your perspective- and where you are coming from.

By New England standards it is mild- from Florida, south Texas, AZ or coastal California it may be cold. If from Chicago, Detroit or Des Moines it will be very mild. Autumns extend well into late November with mild weather in the 50s and sometimes 60s or more. Winter with colder weather (30's 40s day-20's night can begin in early begin to mid December) Expect 3-3.5 months of weather in which you will see bouts of cold, and wintry conditions possible. There can be mild periods and thaws. Winter relents in mid to late March- along the CT shore warm springtime temperatures are later coming as compared to areas inland because of the still chilly waters of the sound and ocean.

Climatologically-the climate is humid continental, with 4 distinct seasons- moderated by LI Sound, and the nearby Atlantic Ocean to the south and east.

The weather is more moderate in the winter with less snowfall then areas 20-30 miles inland. While in the summer its will be less hot, due to the cool breezes off the sound. Climate change is making the CT shoreline (as well as the rest of the state) Milder.

Deep winter snows along the CT shore are not uncommon, but not a regular winter event- it seldom impedes human activity. Perhaps on average in the past, like once or twice in ten years will you see a snow event that is ultra newsworthy. Power outages are also becoming uncommon as compared to 30 years ago.

I feel the CT coastline has a moderately benign climate- that occasionally suffers from dramatic winter events.

[Audry524]

I live 2 towns away on the shoreline so I think I can speak from experience

As far as getting stranded, I've lived here all my 40 years of life and only remember 1 time in 1976 that the snow was so bad we were stranded. The beauty of living on the shoreline is that the coastal air keeps the temps up a tad more then they are inland and often it will rain on the shoreline when inland CT gets snow. Winters do vary however. We had a mild winter this year with almost no snow at all, the years before, there was snow on the ground almost all winter, but it really was no big deal. Roads get plowed and a few hours after a heavy storm it pretty much returns to business as usual. Not sure where you are coming from, but power outages do occur somewhat often (In my opinion but I hate power outages, LOL) but are usually repaired in short order (couple of hours). Some neighbors of mine own generators to deal with that issue but it's very rare to have power out for more then a day. The only times I remember that happening were during Hurricane Gloria and Hurricane Bob.

As for being a single mother, now worries. I was a single mother myself for some time and never incountered any problems. If you were moving to Madison however, I might have a different answer, but not Guilford.

And to reassure you, I don't think I can think of one negative thing I can say about Guilford. I do love the town and it's beautiful town green and coast. The schools are great and it's close proximity to New Haven, Mystic and all CT has to offer, especially for kids, is an added bonus. For the record, many in CT dream about living in Guilford so you've made an excellent choice.

Best of luck in your move!

[Lintu]

Lately, the winters have been mild, although you never know. At least once a year, we get a heavy snowstorm, but really, I've never felt completely stranded in the 6 years I've lived in the NE. The streets are plowed very early, and the power rarely goes out unless there is a major ice storm or some other extreme event.

I don't know where you're coming from, but I'm originally from TX (lived there almost 20 years) and I don't have a problem with winters on the CT shoreline.

[celcius]

WELCOME TO GUILFORD!!!

I've lived here my whole life (19 years) in this great town, just outside the limits of the Sachem's Head region, by the shore. Everyone in this thread has made good responses. Since you asked specifically about winters here, I'll tell you as much as I know.

In terms of summer-winter yearly balance, Guilford is slightly favored towards winter. I've seen snow in October and April (very rare) but it most often starts mid-December and is done by mid-March. This is difficult to say for absolute, however, as winters are different every year. Some can be mild with a few snowings, some start snow at Thanksgiving and have several storms. The yearly currents are very unpredictable. In the public school system, there are usually 3-5 snow days per year, so kids will be out of school around June 17-24ish. Storms can get really harsh sometimes, but the state and towns have snowplows running nonstop during snowings and the drivers are reasonably experienced because people are used to snow. Accidents and traffic buildups will happen, however, so one is to be cautious.

Some people have mentioned power outages. Power outages usually happen in regions—it's very rare if the entire town loses power. Most people lose power a few times per year, and its usually fixed in a few hours.

It also depends on where you come from, as said by many before. By New England and more wintery standards, we provide some of the best weather due to our southern shoreline location. Southerners will definitely feel chilly until they adjust.

Our summers, however, can be quite beautiful, and almost make the winter worth it (I'm not a winter person at all). Population shoot up because New Yorkers and Floridians move up here to their summer cottages. Boating is also big here, as there are lots of islands, geological landscapes and huge real estate properties to explore.

I hope you enjoy your new life here. I was definitely blessed to grow up in such a historic, beautiful town, and I'm excited that your children will experience the same.

[wavehunter007]

Airam,

You had me laughing...Perhaps you have confused Guilford, CT with Guilford, ME (or you were trying to post on the Maine form). If not .....

Where did you ever get the idea Guilford had severe winters? You wrote

but exactly how bad does it get? Will I be stranded in my house because of the weather? My biggest fear is the power going out in the middle of winter; does that happen often?

Where do you think your moving? Denver? Minnapolis, New Hampshere. Sue Saint Marie? I hope your not moving here with that Gilmore Girls image. You will be disappointed.

To give you an idea of the winter season sometimes in Guilford, and all of southern Connecticut for that matter - sometimes "there is no winter season! We were wearing short sleeves last January, and had only 12.5 inches here on the shoreline ALL WINTER! Read what Skytrekker wrote - I think that is a perfect description.

I would be more worried about hurricanes in Guilford, than the short winters. In 1938, a bad hurricane hit Guilford and all of southern Connecticut and killed 124 people. I have lived here for 39 years and I don't think I have ever been stranded in my house by the snow for more than 12-hours...

It's southern Connecticut - not Michigan.

Good luck.

[JayCT]

Just wanted to add that most power outages in Connecticut are due to downed power lines caused by broken tree limbs. There is an abundance of beautiful trees here that cause this problem butalso help make our state so beautiful. Usually these problems effect a small area and are are taken care of quickly. Jay

[untuchableface]

Are there many hurricanes in CT? I always picture hurricanes to be predominantly in FL or the Carolinas... I guess it never occurred to me that there would be a plentiful amount in CT as well.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by untuchableface

Are there many hurricanes in CT? I always picture hurricanes to be predominantly in FL or the Carolinas... I guess it never occurred to me that there would be a plentiful amount in CT as well.

Not really. THe last major hurricane to hit Connecticut was Floyd in 1999. Before that it was Gloria in 1985 and before that Donna in 1960. Connecticut is somewhat protected from hurricanes that do hit by Long Island. Most storms come in off the Atlantic and must pass over Long Island before getting to Connecticut. By that time, they usually have been weakened. It really shouldn't be a worry unless you live right on the shore. Plus today's modern weather service is pretty good at tracking these types of storms and can give you plenty of time to batten down the hatches or run for cover. Jay