Wednesday's Forecast: Rain, Wind & Traffic

 Torrential rain and high winds will accompany one of the busiest travel days of the year! 2”-4” of rain Tuesday night – Wednesday could cause poor drainage/basement flooding.  Now would be a great time to make sure fallen leaves are free from storm drains and gutters. I also expect lots of airport delays caused by a low cloud deck and high winds.

ECMWF (Euro) Total rainfall

The wind will howl all day Wednesday and could contribute to a few power outages. Southerly winds will blow consistently at 15 to 30 miles an hour with higher gusts up to 50 – 60 miles an hour!  A High Wind Watch is in effect for eastern Connecticut including Tolland, Windham, New London and Middlesex counties and the shoreline of New Haven and Fairfield Counties. These areas are most likely to experience those higher gusts up to 60 miles an hour!

ECMWF 10 m wind gusts. Note Gusts are in Knots!

Timing: While Tuesday is mainly dry, a rain or snow shower is possible late in the day or at night as the next storm approaches. While a brief wintry mix is possible at the onset of precipitation Tuesday night, everyone will quickly change over to rain.  Rain will come down heavy at times Tuesday night through Wednesday afternoon. By Wednesday night, rain is tapering off.

Tonight: Increasing clouds. Low: 20-30

Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy, chance for a rain or snow shower late in the day or at night. Brief wintry ix possible at night before changing over to rain. Heavy rain overnight. High: Low 40s inland, mid 40s for the shoreline.

Wednesday: Rain, heavy at times. Gusty south wind blowing at 15 to 30 miles an hour with gusts to 50-60 (highest in eastern CT). Rain tapering off late. Highs: 50s and low 60s

Thursday: Colder and blustery. Northwest winds 10 to 25 miles an hour with gusts up to 40. Wind chill in the 10s and 20s. High: Low 30s.

Friday: Mostly sunny, cool.  Less wind than recent days. High temperatures in the middle 30s inland, upper 30s for the shoreline.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, a bit milder. Increasing clouds late. High temperatures in the upper 30s to near 40 degrees.