So Sick Of Flood Watches

Showers and storms are in the forecast every day for the rest of the week. Most of the time showers will be hit or miss.  That will be the case for much of Thursday.  But late in the day, Thursday night and Friday morning, thunderstorms will become widespread.  Rain will come down heavy at times bringing the potential for flooding. Rivers and streams are already running high. This is currently the forth wettest June on record. I think we’ll climb a couple of spots before the month is over.

Tonight: Chance for a few showers, otherwise mild and muggy. Low: Near 70.

Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy, and very humid with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Storms will be more widespread than recent days.  Low 80s.

Friday: Heavy rain in the morning tapering to scattered showers. Flooding is possible, especially in small streams, rivers, low lying areas and poor drainage areas. Near 80.

Saturday: Mix of sun and clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon. Not a washout.High: Mid 80s.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, warm and muggy with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon. High: Mid 80s.

Monday: Mostly cloudy, warm and muggy with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Rain, heavy at times. Mid 80s.

Heat Wave #2

The second heat wave of the season is winding down. This will be the last hot and humid day before we start chipping away at the heat (but not so much the humidity). Once again showers and storms will fire up in the afternoon and anything that develops has the potential to be strong with hail, damaging winds and localized flooding. Showers and storms will become more widespread Thursday with mostly cloudy skies. After morning rain, there’s a chance we could squeeze in a nice afternoon Friday. Storms return at times over the weekend. It’s tough to nail down the exact timing of the showers and storms. But at least plan for some firing off in the afternoon hours.

Tonight: Few storms. Otherwise, mild and muggy. Low: Near 70.

Tomorrow: Patchy morning fog breaks for sun. Hazy, hot and humid with the chance for a few pop up afternoon showers or thunderstorms. High: 85-89

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, and very humid with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Storms will be more widespread than recent days. High: Low 80s

Friday: Morning storms then some clearing possible with partly cloudy skies. A bit less humid. High: Mid 80s

Saturday: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon. High: Mid 80s

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, warm and muggy with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon. High: Mid to upper 80s.

Watch my forecast: http://landing.newsinc.com/shared/video.html?freewheel=91060&sitesection=wtic_weather&VID=24906778

Summa Summa Summertime

The sun angle is highest around the summer solstice and that means a higher UV index. Around noon this weekend, those with fair skin can get a sun burn in 15 minutes. Warmth and humidity will gradually build Saturday and Sunday. If your plans involve boating or hitting the beach, the water will remain calm with waves one foot or less. An isolated shower or storm is possible over the next several days but most towns will stay dry. Heat and humidity peak next week along with a better chance for storms.

Tonight: Partly cloudy. Low: 55-60

Saturday: Hazy, warm and turning a bit humid. Low to mid 80s inland, Near 80 degrees along the shoreline.

Sunday: Hazy, hot and humid. Upper 80s inland, low to mid 80s for the shore. Chance for an isolated shower or thunderstorm.

Monday: Hazy, hot and humid. Upper 80s to low 90s inland, Mid 80s along the shoreline. Chance for an isolated afternoon shower or thunderstorm.

Tuesday: Hazy, hot and humid. Upper 80s to low 90s inland, Mid 80s along the shoreline. Chance for an isolated afternoon shower or thunderstorm.

Wednesday: Hazy, hot and humid. Upper 80s to low 90s inland, Mid 80s along the shoreline. Scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Dry, Sunny Last Day Of Spring

Thursday morning will not feel like the last day of spring with some towns starting off in the 40s!  The record low at Windsor Locks is 45 degrees set in 1918.  Temperatures will be quick to warm up in the afternoon with plenty of sunshine. Summer starts on Friday along with a warming trend. Warmth and humidity will return over the weekend along with the chance for a few pop up showers and storms, mainly in the afternoon. Early next week looks toasty with a potential heat wave on the horizon.

Technical: There is some uncertainty regarding the strength of an upper level ridge this weekend into early next week.  Does the ridge hang on to keep us dry, or does it break down enough to allow several fast moving disturbances to trigger showers and storms. The first disturbance moves through Friday. But with little moisture to work with, I kept the forecast dry. But with increasing moisture, showers and storms are possible at times Saturday – Wednesday.  Timing these shortwaves will be very difficult. Although the majority of that time will be dry, you may need your umbrella at times.

Cooler, wetter Sunday if the ridge doesn't hold

Tonight: Clear, chilly. Low: 46-50 inland, 52-55 shore.

Tomorrow: Cool, refreshing start to the day. But quickly warming up in the afternoon. Mostly sunny, dry and pleasant. High: 75-80

Friday: Summer begins at 1:04 AM. Mostly sunny start, turning partly cloudy in the afternoon. A few degrees milder than recent days. High: 78-84

Saturday: Partly cloudy, warm and increasing humid. Chance for a pop up shower or storm in spots late in the day or at night. High: Low to mid 80s

Sunday: Partly cloudy, warm and humid. Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon. High: Low to mid 80s

Monday: Partly cloudy, warm and humid. Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon. High: Mid 80s to near 90.

Another Day, Another Flood Watch

Flood watches are up for the state…again.  A Flood Warning is in effect for the Housatonic River at Stevenson Dam where minor flooding is already occurring from recent rainfall.  The next storm on Thursday will stay south of Connecticut. Luckily the heaviest rain and strongest winds will miss.  Instead of 2”-4” of rain with gusts to 50 mph, we’re expecting 1”-3” of rain with gusts to 30 mph. While that’s a better scenario, we’re still under the gun for some flooding. Showers will begin after the commute Thursday, with rain turning steadier and heavier in the afternoon and evening. Rain tapers to scattered showers during the Friday. Here’s the good news, we dry out just in time for Father’s Day weekend with mostly sunny skies and highs in the 70s and 80s. More rain is possible next week.

Tonight: Increasing clouds. Lows: 50s

Tomorrow: Showers developing in the morning, becoming widespread in the afternoon. Rain will come down heavy at times. Chilly and breezy.

Friday: Morning rain tapering to scattered showers with some clearing possible. Windy with gusts to 30+ mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, dry and pleasant. Upper 70s to near 80 degrees.

Sunday: Mostly sunny and milder. Clouds increasing late in the day. Highs in the low to mid 80s.

Monday: Milder and mostly cloudy with scattered showers.

A Short Break To Dry Off

Many towns have received a month’s worth of rain (or more) in a little over a week. With a saturated ground, the result was some street flooding Tuesday.  Franklin Street in West Hartford, New Park Ave in West Hartford and Willimantic all reported flooded roadways. Willimantic received 1.33” of rain in just one hour!  Rain wasn’t the only problem. At 4:35 PM in Killingly, a home was struck by lightning.

The worst is over. After a few lingering showers and storms, some clearing will take place tonight with a less humid air mass taking over.

Enjoy a break in the rain Wednesday with sunshine mixing with puffy clouds. But the rain doesn’t stay away for long. Showers will develop Thursday afternoon with occasionally heavy downpours. Additional minor flooding is possible. Rain Friday morning will taper to scattered showers by afternoon. At least we dry out in time for the weekend.

Tonight: Early showers & storms followed by clearing. Lows: 55-60.

Tomorrow: Sunshine mixing with clouds, breezy, less humid and comfortable. Northwest wind 10 to 20 miles an hour. High: Upper 70s

Thursday: Increasing clouds, showers developing in the afternoon, mainly late. Periods of rain Thursday night, heavy at times. High: Mid to upper 60s

Friday: Rain in the morning tapering to scattered showers with some clearing possible. High: Near 70

Saturday: Mostly sunny, dry and pleasant. Upper 70s to near 80 degrees.

Sunday: Mostly sunny and milder. Clouds increasing late in the day. High: Low 80s. Rain possible by Monday. 

Andrea

Andrea continues to lose her tropical characteristics off the coast of Virginia.  But the forecast for us remains unchanged.  Wind damage is not a concern.  Power outages are not a concern.  Coastal flooding is not a concern.  But heavy rain and poor drainage flooding is a concern. 2”-4” of rain will fall by the time the last drop falls.

Rain will move out early Saturday.  By 8 AM, the radar should be clear (give or take an hour).

Even after the rain ends, flood alerts will remain in effect as larger rivers continue to slowly rise. Luckily, these main stem rivers should be able to handle the rainfall from Andrea with only minor flooding forecast along the Housatonic and Farmington Rivers. The Connecticut River will remain below flood stage. Rain ends early Saturday followed by some clearing. There is a chance for a stray afternoon shower. Sunday looks better with partly to mostly sunny skies and milder temperatures.

Tonight: Heavy rain. Low: Near 60.

Tomorrow: Rain ending early in the morning. Clouds breaking for some sun with a shower in spots in the afternoon. High: Mid to upper 70s.

Sunday: Partly cloudy to mostly sunny, warmer than recent days. Low to mid 80s inland. Mid to upper 70s for the shoreline.

Monday: Some sun to start, increasing clouds. Chance for a shower in spots. Showers are more likely Monday night. High: Mid 70s to near 80

Tuesday: Considerable cloudiness with periods of rain. Rain could come down heavy at times with some clearing possible late. High: Mid to upper 70s

Wednesday: Partly cloudy start with showers and thunderstorms developing. High: Mid to upper 70s.

Super Soaker

Tropical Storm Andrea made landfall early this evening near the Big Bend area on Florida’s Gulf Coast.  Andrea will increase in forward speed tonight and ride up the east coast, combining with another storm to bring Connecticut waves of rain tonight through early Saturday.

A Flood Watch has been issued for the entire state with 2”-4” of rain forecast.  Rain will come down heavy at times with rainfall rates up to 1”-2” per hour. That means small streams and creeks could rise rapidly. Poor drainage areas, low lying areas and basements are also susceptible to flooding. The main stem rivers should remain in their banks.  If flooding does occur for larger rivers like the Connecticut and Housatonic, it should be very minor.

Rain will come down off and on tonight and Friday. The heaviest will fall Friday night.  Rain moves out Saturday morning followed by some clearing. A lingering shower is possible in the afternoon.

Wind is not expected to be an issue with this storm.  Minor coastal flooding is possible during Friday night’s high tide.  Tidal departures will remain around or below two feet. Once again, the main impact will be heavy rain and street flooding.

Comfy Weather Continues

Comfy spring weather continues Wednesday with partly to mostly sunny skies and low humidity. Clouds increase Thursday.  Most of the day will be dry but there is a chance for a shower or two late in the day. Friday looks wet.  But the word “wet” may be an understatement if all the ingredients come together.  A storm in the Gulf of Mexico will climb up the east coast.  Tapping into tropical moisture, periods of heavy rain and poor drainage flooding is possible Friday into early Saturday.

Tonight: Diminishing wind. clear and comfy. Low: 44-53

Tomorrow: Another cool, refreshing morning! Sunny to partly sunny, dry and pleasant. Not as windy. Northwest wind 5 to 15 miles an hour. High: Mid to upper 70s

Thursday: Increasing clouds. Showers developing late in the afternoon or at night. Wind becoming south at 5 to 10 miles an hour. High: Low 70s

Friday: Cloudy and cooler with periods of rain and drizzle. Rain could come down heavy at times. Some poor drainage flooding is possible. High: Mid 60s

Saturday: Rain ending in the morning. Clouds could break for some sun in the afternoon with a shower in spots in the afternoon. High: Low 70s

Sunday: A mix of sun and clouds, warmer than recent days. High: Upper 70s. Watching another warming trend heading into next week.

The El Reno tornado of May 31, 2013 is officially the widest tornado in U.S. history at 2.6 miles. The National Weather Service in Norman Oklahoma made the announcement on Tuesday.  Mobile doppler radar measured wind speeds of 295 mph which caused the rating to be increased to EF-5. These destructive winds were found within a satellite tornado or suction vortex which was spinning around the larger “parent” tornado.  The parent tornado had winds around 195 miles an hour. The suction vortex had winds of near 100 mph.  This means a combined wind speed of 295 miles an hour!

Perfection The Next Two Days

Take a deep breath.  The humidity of recent days has been replaced by a nice refreshing and comfortable air mass.   As an added bonus, high pressure will deliver wall to wall sunshine the next couple of days. Clouds will increase Thursday with the chance for showers sneaking into western areas late-day.  A cluster of storms moving out of the Gulf of Mexico will play a major role in the Friday/Saturday forecast.  Right now it’s not looking pretty as a wave of low pressure rides up the eastern seaboard providing  waves of heavy rain persisting into the start of the weekend.  It’s Monday.  So there’s plenty of time for the forecast to change. But I would rather play the forecast on the pessimistic side so you’re mentally prepared for half the weekend to get washed out.

Tonight: Early downpours, then clearing, less humid and cooler. Lows: 45-54

Tomorrow: Noticeably less humid and not as mild as recent days. Abundant sunshine. Northwest wind at 10 to 20 miles an hour. High: Low to mid 70s

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, dry and pleasant. Nice refreshing air mass. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. High: Mid 70s

Thursday: Sunny start with clouds increasing during the afternoon. Showers possible in far western Connecticut late in the afternoon. High: mid 70s

Friday:  Cloudy and cooler with periods of rain and drizzle. Rain could come down heavy at times. High: Upper 60s

Saturday: Periods of rain, heavy at times. We'll need to watch this slow moving storm for the potential for flash flooding.