The wicked winter weather that hit southwestern Connecticut Monday created a big mess on the roads.

State and local police say despite plow drivers' best efforts, the roads were littered with accidents throughout the day. According to state police, they received 187 calls from drivers since the storm began Sunday night. Police say most of the accidents were the result of a driver traveling at an unreasonable speed for the road conditions.

Police say residents should stay home to avoid the messy conditions. However, drivers that do venture out should use caution and allow themselves extra travel time.

The March snowstorm also kept residents busy as they dug themselves out from under nearly a foot of snow. Fairfield hardware stores were busy selling shovels and ice scrappers as the storm caught many by surprise.

Between 9 and 13 inches of snow fell throughout the afternoon. Temperatures overnight fell to the low teens.

Hundreds of schools in the region were closed Monday due to the weather conditions.

For more on New Canaan residents playing in the snow, go to Channel 612 on your iO Digital Cable Box and select iO Extra.

Click here for more on residents digging out in Fairfield.Click here to see how Norwalk residents fared in the snow.

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