A STRONG AUTUMN STORM WILL IMPACT OUR AREA OVERNIGHT
WITH STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN…COASTAL FLOOD
ADVISORIES AND WIND ADVISORIES HAVE BEEN ISSUED BY THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE…
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a coastal flood advisory for Fairfield and New
Haven counties from Midnight to 4:00 AM. A wind advisory has also been issued for New
London county from 10:00 PM this evening to 6:00 PM on Thursday.
The GFS and NAM models are forecasting that a low pressure system currently located over the
Great Lakes this afternoon will re-develop off the Virginia coast by this evening. This low
pressure system is then forecast to rapidly intensity as the storm moves northeast and then
north, almost directly over Connecticut just after midnight.
As the storm deepens a fairly tight pressure gradient will set up across our area for several hours
this evening bringing in southeast winds gusting to 30 – 40 MPH at times. The winds are then
forecast to swing around to the northwest after midnight and gust from 40 – 45 MPH across the
state. Rain, heavy at times is expected between 8:00 PM and 2:00 AM with rainfall rates
exceeding 1” per hour at times. Total rainfall is forecast to range from 2” – 4” across the state.
The strong winds and heavy rains are expected to cause some scattered power outages in many
towns and some minor urban flooding overnight. Minor coastal flooding is also expected during
the times of high tide in Long Island Sound at midnight in New London and just before 2:00 AM
at Bridgeport and Stamford. Tides are forecast to run 1.5 – 2.5 feet above normal.
The rainfall is expected to taper down to showers before daybreak on Thursday, however the
strong northwest winds are forecast to continue for most of the day. The strong winds, which
may gust to 50 MPH at times, will likely cause some additional power outages during the day.
Towns are strongly encouraged to closely monitor this storm for any changes in the forecast.
The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency
Management and Homeland Security will continue to closely monitor the latest forecasts.
Additional updates may be sent out if the forecast changes and additional watches or warnings
are issued by the NWS