Flood Watch Remains in Effect, 1-2 Inches of Rain Possible Friday Night [Update]

Update: 5:55 p.m.:

A Flood Watch remains in effect late this afternoon, and the National Weather Service now expects more rain tonight than it previously forecast.

A Flash Flood Warning issued by the weather service expired at 5:45 p.m. in Fairfield County and western New Haven County.

The weather service now says (as of its 3:22 p.m. forecast update) possible rainfall of between 1 and 2 inches overnight in Norwalk, up from 3/4 to 1 inch of rain forecast this morning.

There will be fog in some spots after 10 p.m., according to the weather service.

Update 4:40 p.m.:

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Fairfield County, including Norwalk, until 5:45 p.m.

"Residents living along streams and creeks should take immediate precautions to protect life and property," the weather service warned. "Do not attempt to cross swiftly flowing waters or waters of unknown depth by foot or by automobile."

The weather service also warned that "excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streems, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage areas and low-lying areas."

The service advised motorists not to drive on areas where roadways are covered by water. "The water depth may be too great to allow your car to cross safely. Move to higher ground," the weather service said in the Flash Flood Warning statement.

A strong shower moved through Norwalk, where the ground is already soaked, at about 3:30 p.m.

Parts of western New Haven County are also included in the warning.

Original article, 8:56 a.m.:

With showers expected to move into the area this weekend, the National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for metropolitan New York City and southern Connecticut, including Norwalk.

Friday forecast for Norwalk

The weather service's specific forecast for Norwalk calls for showers, with an 80 percent chance of rain falling during the day [Minor update: the 10:37 a.m. forecast upped that to a 100 percent chance, and by 12:20, rain was already falling], with 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of rain possible. Temperatures are expected to top out at 71 degrees, and winds should be only 3 to 7 mph, from the southeast.

There will be fog in some areas of Norwalk until 10 a.m., according to the forecast (and a Dense Fog Advisory has been issued for southern Connecticut and parts of nearby New York state until 9 a.m. The advisory was last updated at 4:01 a.m. Friday.)

More showers with a 100 percent chance of precipitation, are expected overnight, according to the service, with 3/4 to 1 inch of rain possible. Temperatures should get down to 65 degrees, with a 7 mph wind from the south.

Flood Watch

The alert, last updated at 4:12 a.m. Friday, is in effect from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening.

"An approaching cold front will stall over or just west of the region on Friday," the weather service warns. "This front will tap into deep tropical moisture streaming northward from the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic to produce periods of heavy rain from Friday afternoon into Saturday."

"Widespread rainfall totals of 1 1/2 to 3 inches are expected. Locally higher amounts of up to four inches are possible," it said.

The rain could cause "flooding of small streams, urban and poor drainage areas, and basements," according to the weather service.

"A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop."

Weekend forecast for Norwalk: Wet

Here's the forecast of the National Weather Service, as of 7:43 a.m. Friday:

Showers continue through the weekend, with a chance of precipitation at 80 percent on Saturday, then 50 percent Saturday night and Sunday during the day, and finally 40 percent overnight from Sunday to Monday.

Be careful driving on Saturday night: Patches of fog may occur that  night and overnight into Sunday. The weather service doesn't expect much rainfall, though: 1/10 to a quarter of an inch possible. The temperature low: 68 degrees.

On Sunday, there's a chance of showers and thunderstorms (again, with a 50 percent probability of precipitation). Expect rainfall of less than 1/10 of an inch, but a lot more if a thunderstorm sweeps through.

On Sunday night, you'll get a side order of patchy fog with possible showers (and again, a 40 percent probability of precipitation). A low of 66 degrees is expected for a cloudy day.

Editor's note: Links in this article lead to to National Weather Service pages that will be updated with the most recent weather service Norwalk forecasts, as well as flood watches and warnings.

Parts of this article originally were published by Darien Patch.