CT Weather: July 4th Thunderstorms End, Heat Wave Arrives Wednesday

CONNECTICUT — On Tuesday night, the severe thunderstorms that brought flash flooding conditions across parts of the state have subsided, and now we embark on our first summer heat wave beginning Wednesday.

Parts of the state received several inches of rain as strong thunderstorms rolled through the state, especially in northern Connecticut. A flash flood watch remains in effect through late tonight for northern Connecticut due to the excessive rainfall. An air quality alert has been issued for Wednesday for most of southern Connecticut.

"Humidity drops on Wednesday, but temperatures soar!" wrote WFSB 3 TV Meteorologists Mike Slifer and Lorin Richardson. "Inland areas make it into the low or mid 90s under mostly sunny skies. Along the shoreline, high temperatures make it into the upper 80s. It will be great for beach weather, and we’re expecting dry conditions through the day!

"Thursday will be similar, so if you like Wednesday, you’ll like Thursday, too. Friday has trended drier, though increased clouds may keep highs near 90 inland and in the mid to upper 80s along the shore. Assuming we make it to 90 on Friday, we may have our first heatwave of the season! For us, a heatwave must be 3 or more consecutive days at 90 or higher," WFSB 3 TV meteorologists said. (Watch the full WFSB 3 TV weather forecast here).

Here are the updated forecast conditions for southern Connecticut via the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the morning.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the morning.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

Here are the updated forecast conditions for northern Connecticut via the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming north around 6 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning.

Friday: A slight chance of showers after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Original story: CONNECTICUT — The 4th of July will feature more natural fireworks as heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast.

The biggest concern in Connecticut on Tuesday is the chance of flooding due to the frequent downpours associated with the potential storms. Forecasters say the best chance for strong-to-severe thunderstorms is during the afternoon hours and the storms could produce strong wind gusts, lightning and hail, according to WFSB 3 TV.

The stormy weather should taper off by 8 p.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Beginning on Wednesday, hot and humid conditions begin and temperatures should exceed 90 degrees. It looks largely sunny from Wednesday through Friday.

"We are continuing our ALERT mode for the potential threat of flooding," wrote WFSB 3 TV Meteorologists Mike Slifer and Lorin Richardson. "As many areas picked up an additional 2 inches yesterday, adding that onto the weekend, and conditions are primed for potential flooding. Plus we are expecting more showers and storms for today."

They said that "showers and storms amp up in the afternoon hours...once again, the threat for some storms and some of those could be strong to severe....The biggest risks would be from lightning, wind gusts, and hail. Given the forecast for torrential rains, the flood watch remains in effect all day."(Watch the full WFSB 3 TV weather forecast here).

Southern Connecticut forecast details for July 4th via the National Weather Service:

"Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop today. Storms will be slow moving and capable of producing heavy rainfall. Areas of minor flooding can be expected. There is also a localized flash flood risk where persistent storms set up."

A flood watch is in effect until 7 p.m. for southern Connecticut.

"Numerous heavy downpours and thunderstorms are expected to develop across the area late this morning through this afternoon. Basin averaged rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches are likely, with localized amounts of up to 4 inches possible. Rainfall rates of 2 inches per hour are likely in thunderstorm activity."

Independence Day: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 9am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 9am and noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely after noon. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 9pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

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Northern Connecticut forecast details for July 4th via the National Weather Service:

Flash Flood Warning Hartford/Tolland/Windham

A flash flood warning is in effect until 3:15 p.m. for northern sections of Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties.

"At 224 PM EDT, Doppler radar continued to indicate showers and a few embedded thunderstorms with pockets of torrential rainfall. 4 to 6 inches of rain has been common across the region over the past 48 hours with 2 to 3 inches of that in the last several hours. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is already occurring.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include: Hartford, West Hartford, Manchester, Enfield, Vernon, Windsor, Agawam, Mansfield, South Windsor, Simsbury, Bloomfield, Avon,
Killingly, Longmeadow, Suffield, Ellington, Tolland, Windsor Locks, Coventry and Stafford.

Flash Flood Warning For Tolland/Windham

The National Weather Service in Norton has issued a flash flood warning for central sections of Tolland and southern sections of Windham County until 6 p.m.

"At 209 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen over the last 48 hours. Additional rainfall of 1-3
inches of rain is is expected in the next 1-2 hours. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include: Mansfield, Windham, Plainfield, Willimantic, Killingly, Coventry, Brooklyn, Willington, Columbia, Canterbury, Ashford, Pomfret,
Sterling, Chaplin, Hampton, Eastford and Scotland.

Hartford/Tolland County Flash Flood Warning

A flash flood warning is in effect until 4:45 p.m. for parts of Hartford and Tolland counties.
"At 122 PM EDT, trained weather spotters reported thunderstorms producing heavy rain in There is significant flooding in the Hartford metropolitan area right now. Several cars are stuck in flooding on Scarborough street and the road is being closed due to the flooding. There are also other streets where cars are are stuck in street flooding in the Hartford area. Between 3 and 6 inches of rain have fallen in the last 48 hours. The expected rainfall rate is 1 to 2 inches in 1 hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing especially in the Hartford metro area."

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include: Hartford, New Britain, West Hartford, Bristol, Manchester, East Hartford, Southington, Glastonbury, Newington, Vernon, Wethersfield, Mansfield, South Windsor, Farmington, Berlin, Rocky Hill, Avon, Plainville, Coventry and Hebron.

Tolland County Flash Flood Warning

A flood warning is in effect until 7:45 p.m. "At 146 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated Between 2 and 5 inches of rain have fallen over the past 48 hours. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area.

- The Willimantic River at Coventry has risen to 8.07 feet which is above the flood stage of 8 feet. Other small rivers and streams in the area may also experience some flooding
this afternoon and early evening.

- Some locations that will experience flooding include: Mansfield, Coventry and Columbia.

Litchfield County forecast details for July 4th via the National Weather Service:

"Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected especially for areas south and east of Albany this afternoon and evening. Showers and thunderstorms could result in locally heavy
downpours that could cause ponding of water and poor drainage and urban flooding."

Independence Day: A chance of showers before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.