A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR CONNECTICUT AND MOST OF NEW ENGLAND UNTIL 8:00 PM…
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR CONNECTICUT AND MOST OF NEW ENGLAND UNTIL 8:00 PM…
The NOAA Storm Prediction Center (SPC) continues to place all of the state into the Slight Risk Category for severe thunderstorms early this afternoon and again this evening. At 1:45 PM radar showed showers over eastern Connecticut and a cluster of strong to severe thunderstorms over central Long Island. Temperatures are currently in the mid 80’s across most of the state with humid conditions.
The HRRR and NAMHRES models are forecasting that some of the showers over eastern Connecticut may intensify into thunderstorms over the next hour or two as the showers move into Rhode Island. Another thin line of showers and thunderstorms is currently taking shape southwest of Albany, New York. This line is moving to the east at 30 – 35 MPH. The computer models are forecasting that this line may reach the northwest hills by 5:00 PM.
The SPC is forecasting that any thunderstorms that form will have a 15% chance of containing strong winds and a 2% chance of containing a weak tornado. The airmass over the state is humid and brief torrential downpours from these storms could deliver 1” – 2” of rain in a short period of time. This rainfall could cause minor urban flooding.
The severity of the thunderstorms in the second line will depend in part on how much sunshine we see and how much warming occurs during the mid-afternoon. If skies become partly sunny for a few hours and temperatures rise into the upper 80’s, this could provide more energy for the approaching line of thunderstorms and severe thunderstorms may be more likely. The period for potential severe storms is from 5:00 – 800 PM.
The thunderstorm activity is expected to diminish after sunset and end by 10:00 PM. The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will continue to monitor the latest forecasts. However, this will be the final update unless significant severe weather occurs.