Severe Thunderstorm Chance Rises, Large Hail, Damaging Wind Gusts Forecast

CONNECTICUT — The National Weather Service said "confidence is increasing in a period of heavy showers and thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening," and some of these "thunderstorms could be severe."

Storms could produce "damaging" wind gusts in excess of 58 mph, and "severe hail (>1” diameter)" is also possible. Flash flooding is also possible if severe storms develop.

Storms are possible between 2 p.m. and midnight on Friday, but the "greatest threat" is during the evening rush hour, according to the weather service.

"From the late afternoon into the evening hours, there will be an increasing chance for rain and thunderstorms," said WFSB 3 TV Meteorologist Scott Gagliardi with Scot Haney. "We’ve issued a FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAY for today, as the storms will likely be on the stronger side; possibly severe. This upgrade comes as confidence is now high that any late-afternoon and evening outdoor activities will be highly impacted by thunderstorms statewide. The greatest concern with any storms that move through CT will be heavier rain (leading to nuisance flooding and ponding on roadways in poor-drainage areas), frequent lightning, and the potential for strong (possibly damaging) gusty winds. There’s even a chance for some hail in some of the strongest cells that develop. Storms begin across NW CT in the late afternoon, exiting SE CT around 11 p.m. tonight."

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The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook specifically for Fairfield/New Haven County:

"Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop ahead of a cold front and move through the region this afternoon and evening. Some thunderstorms could be strong to severe, capable of producing gusty to damaging winds, large hail and brief heavy downpours. Localized flash flooding is possible," the weather service said for Fairfield/New Haven County.

Heatwave next week

"We’ll likely be adding to our 90° tally starting Monday...Monday, highs inland should be near 90 while dew point values remain comfortable," WFSB 3 TV meteorologists said. "Tuesday is several degrees warmer, also muggier. By Wednesday and Thursday, we’re downright hot and humid.
Given the combination of heat and humidity, especially later in the week, we have a First Alert that stretches from Tuesday to Thursday. During the day, it will feel like it’s 95-104! At night, lows will be in the 70s, so it’ll be difficult to get cool even at night." (Read/watch more at WFSB 3 TV).

Here are the extended forecast details for Connecticut via the National Weather Service:

Today: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. High near 86. South wind 7 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 79. North wind 9 to 11 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 79. Light and variable wind.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. South wind 3 to 7 mph.

Juneteenth: Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.