UPDATE: Tornado Watch Issued for Ridgefield Friday

By Brian McCready

Ridgefield, CT — UPDATE: The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for Fairfield, New Haven, Litchfield, and Hartford counties this afternoon. The advisory is in effect until 10 p.m. NBC CT Meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan posted on Facebook earlier on Friday that “thunderstorms later today could be strong. The best chance for seeing storms is after 6 p.m. today and there is the potential for hail, gusty winds, lightning and heavy rain.” He added on social media that the Storm Prediction Center also issued an enhanced risk for severe weather for a good chunk of the state. We’ll keep updating this breaking news story. Check back for updates.

Original post:

The National Weather Service has issued a “Hazardous Weather Outlook” for the state of Connecticut Friday for the potential of some severe storms and much needed rain.

In southern Connecticut, the storms are expected after 5 p.m. and there may be periods of downpours when storms roll through. The showers and thunderstorm chances continue until around midnight. Up to a half inch of rain is possible.

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Here is a breakdown of the National Weather Service’s latest statement on the potentially severe weather.

“There is a chance for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. The main threat is damaging winds. There is a small chance for large hail and isolated tornadoes…,” the National Weather Service writes.

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• The 2016 Connecticut Fireworks Guide

And once we get past that, nothing has changed about the sunny and spectacular Fourth of July weekend forecast.

Saturday: Sunshine, low to mid 80s.

Sunday: More sun and low 80s.

Fourth of July: Mostly sunny skies with temps in the low to mid 80s.