HIGH WIND WARNINGS AND WIND ADVISORIES ARE IN EFFECT FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS…WINDS ARE CURRENTLY GUSTING TO 40 – 60 MPH ALONG THE COAST…

EXWU0095 - 18 Feb 2022 6:15AM 

HIGH WIND WARNINGS AND WIND ADVISORIES ARE IN EFFECT FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS…WINDS ARE CURRENTLY GUSTING TO 40 – 60 MPH ALONG THE COAST…


At 6:00 AM winds were gusting from the south at 40 – 60 MPH along the coast with the strongest winds in the Groton area.  Eversource and UI are currently reporting a total of 9,722 customers without power.  High Wind Warnings are in effect for Tolland, Windham, Middlesex, New London and southern New Haven counties.  Wind advisories are in effect for the rest of the state.  


Radar is showing a narrow band of heavy showers along a cold front which is moving quickly into western CT.  As this strong cold front moves across the state from west to east over the next 2 – 3 hours towns can expect additional wind gusts of 45 – 60 MPH and a quick wind shift from the south to the west.  There is also a slight risk of a few thunderstorms within the cold front. 


A minor to moderate amount of tree damage is occurring and is expected to continue for the next few hours.  Additional power outages are expected.  The impact for the morning rush hour is expected to be a high-end minor impact with winds gusting to 40 – 60 MPH at times.  The primary risk from these wind gusts are expected to be to high profile vehicles driving across exposed bridges.  


There is also a slight risk for a few ice jams in western CT today where the thin snowpack has been melted and minor flooding could break up the ice and cause a few ice jams.  Some of the normally prone locations (e.g. the Housatonic near Kent) could see some ice jamming.


DESPP / DEMHS will continue to closely monitor conditions for the next few hours.