Rent The Runway!

In the days before facebook…remember those? Life was so much simpler. I could get away with buying one nice dress a year.  And by nice, I mean $50 from the Macy's sales rack. No one from Jenny’s bat-mitzvah would know that I just wore the same dress to Gina’s wedding a week earlier. But those days are gone. Yes, I realize I’m a little crazy.  But once an outfit is posted to facebook….all my “friends” have seen it.  I can’t wear the same dress two weeks in a row!  And then I’m stuck buying expensive outfits I can’t afford and will never wear again.

In comes, Rent The Runway.

Instead of buying a new dress for my fiance’s brother’s wedding, I rented a designer dress! It’s fun and a whole lot cheaper than buying a new dress for every event on my calendar.

Here’s how it works…

You pick out a designer dress on their website (you can filter by event, dress style, designer, cost).  They send you the dress in two different sizes (just in case).  The dress comes by mail the day before your event.  Then the day after, you stick the dress back into a pre-paid envelope.  You don’t have to dry clean it, they do that for you.  You don’t have to worry if it rips (dresses are insured for just 5 bucks).

I had a blast!  They also give you the option to rent an extra style for $25.00. So I got a dress for the rehearsal dinner too!  The whole process with shipping, insurance and the extra dress cost me exactly $100.  I know that's not exactly cheap. But like I said before, it’s cheaper than buying two designer gowns!

Clearly....I only know how to pose with my hand on my hip.

In a Nicole Miller Dress that retails for $420 for Jared & Kristie's wedding.

In a Robert Rodriguez that retails for $600!

I'm hooked!  I'm renting an Herve Leger dress for my bachelorette party this weekend.  And I plan on renting jewelry for my wedding in September.  I wish I found this site before I purchased a million dollar wedding dress. In another life I could just rent this Reem Acra dress.

Another 10 Tomorrow! Last Day Of July!

It’s broadcast meteorology 101: Give the forecast.  NOT your opinion of the forecast.  But come on!  How could I not comment on how awesome the weather was today (Tuesday)?  Sunshine, low humidity….absolute perfection!  If you’re feeling guilty for not getting outside, don’t worry.  Tomorrow (Wednesday) will be a carbon copy.

The last morning of July will have a refreshing early fall feel.  Temperatures will be around average during the afternoon with low humidity and plenty of sunshine. Clouds increase Thursday for the start to August with the chance for showers and storms late in the day. The humidity will get a boost too. A soaking rain is possible Thursday night into early Friday as a cold front approaches. The weekend looks better but not perfect with clouds and sun and the chance for a shower in spots.

Tonight: Mostly clear, great sleeping weather! Low: 57-64
Tomorrow: Sunny, refreshing morning. Turning partly cloudy in the afternoon. Low humidity. Patchy fog developing at night. High: 80-85

Thursday: Increasing clouds and turning humid. Chance for showers and scattered storms late in the day and Thursday night. High: Low 80s

Friday: A mix of sun and clouds with the chance for showers in the morning and later in the day. Falling humidity. High:Low to mid 80s

Saturday: Mostly sunny start, turning partly cloudy by afternoon with the chance for a late day shower or thundershower. Most of the state stays dry. High: Low 80s

Sunday: Mostly sunny start with clouds bubbling up in the afternoon. Chance for a shower or storm in spots later in the day. High: Upper 70s to near 80.

Refreshing!

Take a deep breath.  Refreshing air has finally returned to the nutmeg state.  Some towns will begin in the upper 50s Thursday morning for the first time this month. The front that brought relief stalled offshore and will now begin to creep back towards the coast. That means an increase in cloud cover Thursday with some scattered showers.  On Friday a coastal low will track east of Cape Cod. Right now it looks like the steady rain will miss Connecticut. No worries, the weekend still looks good.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, comfortable, falling humidity. Low: 55-65

Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. More clouds and showers southeast, more sun, drier northwest. High: Low to mid 70s

Friday: Chance for showers in the morning. Otherwise, clouds breaking for some sun, especially late in the day. High: Near 80

Saturday: Partly to mostly sunny, nice! Turning more humid at night with patchy dense fog developing. High: Mid 80s

Sunday: Morning fog and low clouds. Turning partly cloudy, chance for a late day shower or storm. Humid. High: Low to mid 80s

Monday: Mostly cloudy and humid with scattered showers and storms. Clearing and turning less humid at night. High: Low to mid 80s

Tropical Downpours

My forecast from the news at 4

Summer heat moved out but the humidity remains for now. A cold front will wash the stickiness out of the air Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. But the change will come with scattered storms and tropical downpours.  Although it will not rain all day Tuesday, showers will be slow moving.  That means poor drainage flooding is possible in a few towns. The humidity will fall throughout the day Wednesday followed by quick clearing.  Thursday and Friday will be refreshing compared to recent days.

Tonight: Storms becoming more numerous, especially late. Low: Low 70s.

Tomorrow: Tropical humidity with scattered downpours and thunderstorms. Some poor drainage flooding possible. Southwest wind 5 to 15 miles an hour. High: Low 80s

Wednesday: Clouds breaking for sunshine, humidity falling through the day. Turning comfy. Refreshing at night! High: Mid 80s. Low: Upper 50s and low 60s.

Thursday: Abundant sunshine and low humidity. Dew point in the 50s all day. Refreshing at night. High: Low 80s. Low: upper 50s to low 60s

Friday: Morning clouds breaking for some sunshine as the day progresses. Watching a storm to the south. High: Low 80s. Low: Low 60s

Saturday: Partly to mostly sunny, nice! Turning more humid for the second half of the weekend with the chance for showers (Sunday). High: Low 80s.

ONE MORE DAY! Heat Ends With A Bang!

Six days down, one day to go in this week long heat wave (which felt like two weeks). Saturday remains hot with tropical humidity. A cold front marching in from the northwest will trigger scattered storms in the afternoon and at night. There is no need to cancel outdoor plans, but have a plan in place in case you hear thunder. Sunday morning will be noticeably less humid and the moisture in the air will continue to drop throughout the day.  By Sunday night you can finally open the windows!

Tonight: Tropical humidity. Patchy fog. Low: Mid –upper 70s

Tomorrow: Partly cloudy, hot and oppressively humid. Scattered afternoon thunderstorms. Southwest wind 10 to 20 miles an hour. High: Low 90s

Sunday: Relief at last! Partly to mostly sunny, noticeably less humid and not as hot as recent days. Mid 80s-upper 80s

Monday: Refreshing in the morning with a low temperature near 60 degrees. Mix of sun and clouds, comfortable. High: Mid 80s

Tuesday: Turning cloudy and very humid with scattered showers and storms. High: Low-Mid 80s

Wednesday: A mix of sun and clouds, chance for some afternoon showers then turning less humid. High: Low – Mid 80s

5 days down, 2 to go.

Tomorrow is the grand finale!  Friday will be the hottest and most humid day of this heat wave AND of the year to date! Temperatures will flirt with 100 degrees and the heat index will be well into the triple digits. A storm or two could fire up in the afternoon. But most towns will stay dry.  Thunderstorms will become widespread Saturday afternoon as a cold front approaches. Some could be strong to severe. Saturday will be the final day in the 90s with high humidity before relief arrives Sunday.

Tonight: Chance storm. Warm and humid. Low: 70s.

Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, very hot and oppressively humid. Chance for a storm or two during the afternoon. Most stay dry. Heat index 105 or greater. High: Mid – upper 90s

Saturday: Partly cloudy, hot and oppressively humid. Scattered thunderstorms starting midday. Any storm that develops could be strong to severe. High: Upper 80s – low 90s

Sunday: Relief at last! Mostly sunny, noticeably less humid and cooler than recent days. High: Low –mid 80s.

Monday: Partly cloudy, comfortable. Refreshing at night with a low temperature near 60 degrees. High: Low –mid 80s.

Tuesday: Increasing clouds, showers developing.  Rain may be heavy at times. High: Low –mid 80s.

Four down, three to go.

Watch my 4 pm forecast!

Four days down, three days to go. The heat and humidity will get worse before it gets better.  The combination will make it feel like up to 105 degrees on Thursday.  While an isolated storm is possible in the afternoon, scattered storms are more likely Friday.  Then numerous storms will sweep through the state Saturday as a cold front approaches. Any storms that develop Friday or Saturday could be on the strong side. Relief from the heat arrives Sunday with humidity falling throughout the day.

Tonight: Warm and humid. Low: 70s

Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, hot and increasingly humid. Chance for a few afternoon thunderstorms. Heat index 100-105 degrees. High: Mid to upper 90s

Friday: Partly cloudy, very hot and oppressively humid. Scattered afternoon storms, some strong. Heat index 105 or greater. High: Mid to upper 90s

Saturday: Partly cloudy, hot and oppressively humid. Scattered thunderstorms. Any storm that develops could be strong to severe. High: Upper 80s and low 90s

Sunday: Relief at last! Mostly sunny, noticeably less humid and cooler than recent days. High: Low to mid 80s

Monday: Partly cloudy to mostly sunny and less humid. High: Low 80s. Refreshing at night with a low temperature near 60 degrees.

Officially A Heat Wave...In case you needed confirmation

Bridgeport set a new daily high temperature record on Tuesday. 95 degrees beats the previous record of 94 degrees, set in 1952 and 1983. The heat will continue Wednesday. But the humidity will remain in check until Thursday.  Tropical air returns later this week along with the threat for some afternoon storms. Friday will be the most uncomfortable with heat indicies well above 100 degrees. A cold front Saturday will trigger strong afternoon storms followed by cooler, less humid air Sunday.

Tonight: Warm and humid. Low: Low 70s.

Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, hot and humid. Slight chance for an afternoon thunderstorm. Heat indices approaching 100. High: Low to mid 90s.

Thursday: Partly to mostly sunny, hot and oppressively humid. Chance for a few afternoon thunderstorms. Heat index near 100 degrees. High: Low to mid 90s.

Friday: Partly cloudy, very hot and oppressively humid. Scattered afternoon storms, some strong. Heat indices 100+. High mid  to upper 90s.

Saturday: Partly cloudy, hot and oppressively humid. Scattered thunderstorms. Any storm that develops could be strong to severe. High: Low to mid 90s.

Sunday: Relief at last! Mostly sunny, noticeably less humid and cooler than recent days. High: Low to mid 80s.

7 Day Heat Wave!

Look at a map of current temperatures. We’re surrounded by heat and there’s no escaping it. Tuesday is day three of a seven day long heat wave!  The record longest is 10 days set in 1995. While temperatures will remain fairly similar each day, the humidity is going to climb as the week progresses.  The storm threat will be growing too. While an isolated storm is possible the next two days, more numerous storms will fire up Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Relief from the heat arrives Sunday!

Tonight: Mostly clear, muggy and warm. Low: 68-72

Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, hot and humid. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Slight chance for an afternoon thunderstorm. High: Low to mid 90s. Heat indices in the upper 90s. Records: 96 for Windsor Locks, 94 for Bridgeport.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, hot and humid. Slight chance for an afternoon thunderstorm. High: Low to mid 90s. Heat indices approaching 100.

Thursday: Partly cloudy, hot and oppressively humid. Chance for a few afternoon thunderstorms. High: Low to mid 90s. Heat indices 100+

Friday: Partly cloudy, very hot and oppressively humid. Scattered afternoon storms, some strong. High: mid to upper 90s.  Heat indices 100+

Saturday: Partly cloudy, hot and oppressively humid. Scattered thunderstorms.  Any storm that develops could be strong to severe. High: Upper 80s to low 90s

NWS Investigates Tornadoes On The Anniversary of F4 Hamden Tornado

Another week, another possible tornado. 

The National Weather Service will be investigating two different areas for possible tornado damage tomorrow. 

The first area under investigation is Tolland.  Around 5 PM a “doppler indicated” tornado warning was issued for Tolland, Willington, Stafford and Union.  That means enough rotation was present in the radar to produce a tornado (without knowing if one is actually on the ground). In Tolland several trees were down on Mountain Spring Road near Old Post Road.

Another “Doppler indicated” tornado warning followed less than a half an hour later, this time for a storm located in Andover. The storm moved northeast around 30 mph into Coventry and Mansfield.  Several trees and wires were taken down in Mansfield of route 195 and Depot Road. A barn collapsed and a tree uprooted in Coventry.

Then the pics and video of a funnel cloud started rolling in.  These “doppler indicated” tornadoes can turn out to be actual tornadoes!

More scattered thunderstorms are a guarantee Thursday. The threat for a tornado isn’t zero but it’s very small. Any storm that develops can produce heavy rain and poor drainage flooding. A cold front will help wash some of the humidity out of the air by Thursday night.  But the front will stall nearby keeping plenty of clouds around Friday and the threat for a shower or two.

Tonight: Leftover storm, otherwise mild and muggy. Low: Near 70

Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy and muggy with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Any storms that develop could produce poor drainage flooding. High: Low to mid 80s

Friday: Mostly cloudy, chance for a shower or two. Turning less humid than recent days. High: 70s!

Saturday: A mix of sun and clouds. Chance for an afternoon shower or storm. High: Mid 80s

Sunday: A mix of sun and clouds, chance for an afternoon shower or thunderstorm. Turning increasingly humid. High: Mid 80s

Monday: Mostly sunny, warmer and more humid than recent days. Near 90 by the middle of next week. High: Upper 80s

Heat Wave Ends, Humidity....Not So Much.

The heat wave is over!  For the shoreline, it ended Sunday after three days in the 90s. Windsor Locks managed to rack up five 90 degree days. For the rest of the week the heat will be taking a step back but the humidity remains. Afternoon showers and storms will fire up Tuesday.  A cold front will cause downpours to become more numerous Wednesday and Thursday.  Once the front clears the coast, less humid air will temporarily return on Friday. Hit or miss storms are possible this weekend too.

Tonight: Chance for an isolated shower or storm. Any storm that develops has the potential to produce localized flash flooding. Low: 67-73

Tomorrow: Partly cloudy, warm and humid. Chance for a few midday-afternoon downpours or thunderstorms. High: 83-88

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and humid with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon. High: Low to mid 80s

Thursday: Mostly cloudy and muggy with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon. High: Low to mid 80s

Friday: Chance for a lingering shower then clearing. Turning a bit less humid with partly to mostly sunny skies. High: Low 80s

Saturday: Partly cloudy, chance for a shower or storm in spots but most locations stay dry. High: Low to mid 80s

HHH All Weekend

Hot, Hazy, humid…rinse and repeat. The weather will be very similar Saturday except for one subtle change. Winds will be more westerly instead of southwesterly.  That will allow shoreline areas to warm up a bit more than previous days with low 90s possible right down to the beach! An isolated storm is possible this weekend but most of the state will stay dry.  There is a better chance for storms during the afternoon early next week as a big ridge of high pressure starts to break down.

A Heat Advisory is in effect for Hartford, Tolland and Windham Counties during the day Saturday with heat indicies near or just above 100 degrees.

Tonight: Mild and muggy. Low: Low to mid 70s

Tomorrow: Hot, hazy and humid. Chance for an isolated storm late in the day or at night. But most places will stay dry.

Sunday: Hot, hazy and humid. Chance for an isolated storm late day. Low to mid 90s inland, upper 80s to near 90 along the shoreline.

Monday: Very warm and humid. Chance for scattered storms in the afternoon. Near 90 inland, low to mid 80s along the shoreline.

Tuesday: Hot, hazy and humid. Chance for an isolated storm late in the day. Near 90 inland, low to mid 80s along the shoreline.

Wednesday: Very warm and humid. Chance for scattered storms in the afternoon. Upper 80s inland, low 80s along the shoreline.

Heat Starts Cranking For The 4th

The heat cranks up a notch on Friday with even more Connecticut towns soaring into the 90s. Sound hot?  It will feel even hotter with heat indices between 95-100 degrees. That will likely prompt the National Weather Service to issue another Heat Advisory. Despite the heat and humidity, the threat for storms remains relatively low thanks to a big ridge of high pressure.  That ridge will start to break down later this weekend into early next week, increasing the chance for scattered thunderstorms.

Tonight: Hazy and humid, low clouds and fog rolling in. Low: Low 70s

Tomorrow: Partly cloudy, hot and humid. Chance for an isolated storm late in the day. Most of us stay dry. High: 88-94

Saturday:  Hot, hazy and humid. Chance for an isolated storm late in the day or at night. Low 90s inland, mid to upper 80s along the shoreline.

Sunday: Hot, hazy and humid. Chance for an isolated storm late day. Low 90s inland, mid to upper 80s along the shoreline.

Monday: Hot, hazy and humid. Chance for scattered storms late in the day. Low 90s inland, mid 80s along the shoreline.

Tuesday: Hot, hazy and humid. Chance for scattered storms late in the day. Low 90s inland, mid 80s along the shoreline.

Windsor Locks Tornado (Take Two)

The National Weather Service confirms a tornado touched down near Windsor Locks for 5 mins at 1:30 PM. The EF1 tornado had maximum winds of 86 miles an hour, a path width of 200 yards and a path length of 2.5 miles. The tornado touched down near Raymond Road and Alicia Terrace in Windsor Locks, continuing across the Connecticut River and ending in the 200 block of Main street in East Windsor, Connecticut.

Numerous trees were down, a semi truck was knocked onto its side, the tobacco fields by the airport were damaged and a sports bubble in East Windsor collapsed and blew into a highway.

This weather pattern isn’t getting old…it was old last week! Scattered showers and storms will continue on Tuesday.  Any storms that develop have the potential to produce poor drainage flooding.  Now for the good news. The weather pattern is slowly (finally) changing. Each day this week will get progressively drier, sunnier, and warmer.  By the fourth of July, showers and storms will be hit or miss with temps approaching 90 degrees. Heat wave number #3 may be in the books after this weekend.

Tonight: Leftover shower/storm. Patchy fog, drizzle. Low: Near 70.

Tomorrow: Patchy morning fog and drizzle. Otherwise, humid with scattered showers and storms. Poor drainage flooding is possible in any storm that develops. High: Upper 70s and low 80s.

Wednesday: Mix of sun and clouds with the chance for a shower or thunderstorm in spots, mainly in the afternoon. High: Low to mid 80s.

Thursday: Very warm to hot, hazy and humid. Chance for an isolated shower or storm late in the day. Mid 80s to near 90.

Friday: Partly cloudy, hot and humid. It's possible we make it though the entire day dry for the first time in a while! Mid 80s to near 90.

Saturday: Hot, hazy and humid! Chance for an isolated shower or storm late in the day. Near 90 inland, mid 80s along the shoreline. Mid 80s to near 90.