'Ring Of Fire' Thunderstorms To Break Up Intense Heat In CT

A large swath of thunderstorms surrounding a massive heat dome could bring a "ring of fire" to Connecticut Wednesday evening, breaking up the record-breaking heat that has descended upon the region.

The pattern is referred to in the weather community as a "ring of fire" because thunderstorms form along the edges of the heat dome, AccuWeather explained.

The massive heat dome has engulfed much of the country, from Texas to New England. Because the heat dome is warm through most layers of the atmosphere, clouds and storms have difficulty forming.

"However, on the edges of the heat, especially along the northern and western flanks thereof, the air is cooler well above the ground, which makes it easier for clouds to tower and produce thunderstorms," AccuWeather said. "Within this ring, there can be spotty, individual thunderstorms, large clusters of thunderstorms or a solid line of storms that can repeat or meander back and forth as hot and cool air change hands."

Timeline on showers, storms in Connecticut

In Connecticut, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. It will actually be slightly cooler on Wednesday with heat index values around 100 as opposed to the 110 degrees Tuesday. More showers and storms are possible Wednesday night across Connecticut, according to the weather service.

And there is also a chance of more showers and thunderstorms on Thursday.

"While today is dry and bright (albeit hazy), there will be an increasing chance for rain/storms tomorrow afternoon/evening as a cold front slowly moves into the region," said WFSB 3 TV meteorologists. "As of now, development appears isolated in nature (a strong or severe wind producer can’t be ruled out). The arrival of this front will also signal the end of what will be a 4 day heat wave. With the boundary nearby Thursday, we’ll run the risk for an isolated shower/storm; otherwise, expect temps to peak in the upper 70s and lower 80s."

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Severe weather possible

Accuweather.com said the "severe weather threat," will extend into the Northeast on Wednesday and the "threat of locally severe thunderstorms will extend eastward through central and northern Pennsylvania and the southern tier of New York to northern New Jersey and southern New England."

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

This Afternoon: Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. Heat index values as high as 111. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 77. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers between 1pm and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 103. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Northeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday: A chance of showers before 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. East wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. East wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming west around 6 mph in the afternoon.