National Weather Service Issues Severe Thunderstorm Watch For NL County, Ledyard

The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9 p.m. Wednesday. That's in addition to the Heat Advisory and the Air Quality Alert. We all know it's hot but an Air Quality Alert means that the ground-level ozone may reach an unhealthy level. And, there is a "greater likelihood of respiratory symptoms and breathing difficulty in active children and adults and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma; possible respiratory effects in general population," according to the DEEP website.

The rest of the week's forecast is as follows:

• This Afternoon Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Tonight Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am, then a chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind becoming north around 6 mph in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Thursday Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind 7 to 10 mph.
• Thursday Night A slight chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Friday Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Northeast wind 8 to 10 mph.
• Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
• Saturday Sunny, with a high near 81.
• Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
• Sunday Sunny, with a high near 81.
• Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.