Lee Becomes Category 5 Hurricane: See Latest CT Forecast

CONNECTICUT — We all know it has been excessively hot this week in Connecticut and that continues again on Friday, but all eyes are on Hurricane Lee, which became a category 5 hurricane on Friday morning.

WFSB 3 TV Chief Meteorologist Mark Dixon with Scot Haney said Lee is forecast to "keep moving to the northwest over the open waters of the Atlantic."

"After that, we will have to watch the system closely to see if it will have any impacts on the East Coast of the United States. To note, our longer range models have been keeping it offshore, heading it toward Nova Scotia by *next* weekend," Dixon and Haney wrote for WFSB 3 TV.

The National Hurricane Center said Lee is expected to "move well north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Island, and Puerto Rico this weekend and early next week."

"It is way too soon to know what level of impacts, if any, Lee might have along the U.S. East Coast, Atlantic Canada, or Bermuda late next week, particularly since the hurricane is expected to slow down considerably over the southwestern Atlantic," the National Hurricane Center wrote. "Regardless, dangerous surf and rip currents are expected along most of the U.S. East Coast beginning Sunday."

While we wait for more information on Lee's track, heat advisories have been issued for most of the state on Friday and storms and rain showers are possible Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The best chance for more widespread rain and storms appears to be Sunday and Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Heat advisory details

A heat advisory is in effect for Fairfield and New Haven counties until 6 p.m. Friday and in interior sections of Middlesex and New London counties. It may feel as hot as 100 degrees, the weather service said.

No advisory has been issued for coastal sections of Middlesex and New London counties.

In Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties, a heat advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. Friday, and it may feel as hot as 95 degrees.

Storm details via WFSB 3 TV

There is a chance for storms Friday afternoon and evening and "Those that develop could be strong to severe, especially along and west of I-84 where there is a level 2 risk from the Storm Prediction Center (on a scale to 5). The main concerns: heavy rain, gusty wind, perhaps some hail … also frequent lightning, so if you hear thunder head inside!" WFSB 3 TV forecasters said.

The chance for rain and storms appears to be "more isolated in nature (Saturday)."

"As the front gets closer Sunday, this will increase the likelihood for scattered showers and storms," WFSB 3 TV forecasters said. (Read more at WFSB 3 TV).

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Litchfield County storm details via the National Weather Service

"Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon into the evening," the weather service wrote. "The Storm Prediction Center continues to have a Marginal to Slight Risk outlook for most of the area. The primary threat is damaging wind gusts, with isolated large hail also possible. Storms will also be capable of heavy downpours that could result in localized flooding of urban, poor drainage and low lying areas with isolated flash flooding possible.

"There is a chance of thunderstorms Saturday, Sunday and Monday, mainly during the afternoon to evening hours each day. Storms will be capable of heavy downpours that could result in localized flooding of urban, poor drainage and low lying areas with isolated flash flooding possible."

Here are the forecast details for southern Connecticut:

Today: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Heat index values as high as 99. South wind 5 to 9 mph.

Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 7 mph.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 8 mph.

Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 6 mph.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Here are the forecast details for northern Connecticut:

Today: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Heat index values as high as 100. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10pm. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning. Areas of fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 11pm and 4am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind 6 to 9 mph becoming west in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%.