*** Paul Piorek is editor and publisher of Paul's Local Weather Journal for southwestern Connecticut ... Paul is the on-air meteorologist at WICC 600 AM and 107.3 FM ... Paul is a New York Emmy award winner (2007), five-time Emmy nominee, and four-time winner of the Connecticut Associated Press Broadcasters' Association award for Best TV Weathercast (2006, 2008, 2009, 2012) ... Paul was voted Best Local Television Personality by the readers of Fairfield County Weekly Magazine (2012) ... Paul was inducted into the Housatonic Community College Hall of Fame and received the Distinguished Alumni Award (2012) ... The local weather journal is a two-time winner of the Communicator Award of Distinction (2012 & 2013) ... Paul is currently a full-time teacher of Earth Science and Mathematics in Fairfield ... Follow Paul on Twitter @PaulPiorekWICC ...

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Rainy Pattern Keeps Local Reservoir Levels at or Near Capacity

More than a half-inch of rain fell yesterday, bringing the monthly total to well over five inches. The rainy pattern has persisted for most of May, keeping local reservoir levels at or near capacity. Officially, we've received 5.26" of rain this month, well above the 2.99" normal through yesterday. The yearly precipitation total (22.61") is nearly five inches above normal (17.78").

So, how are the local reservoirs doing? The latest report issued by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, shows levels above normal for most of the state's reservoirs. Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut reports that the Greenwich system is at 99.5% of capacity, which is 102% of normal. The Stamford and Norwalk systems are at 100% of capacity, putting Stamford at 106% of normal and Norwalk at  101% of normal.

The following bar graph illustrates that reservoir capacity levels statewide are at their highest point in more than a year. The levels were at their lowest point in September and October last year when they fell below 80 percent capacity. The current levels for each month are shaded in blue, while historical levels are indicated in purple.

Res 
Monday's rain marked the 10th wet day this month. In fact, eight of the last ten days have featured measured rain, including 2.35" on May 18, 1.26" on May 17, and nearly a half-inch on May 4 and May 14. Since the start of meteorological Spring --- March 1 --- we've seen over a foot of rain (13.50"), nearly two-and-a-half inches above the 11.13" normal through today. In case you're wondering, 2.74" fell last May.

Today will be a warmer and more humid day with a chance of showers or thunderstorms developing later this afternoon as high temperatures reach into the 70s. Tonight will be cloudy and mild with early showers or storms and lows of 58 to 63. Tomorrow and Thursday will be the best days of the week under mostly sunny skies with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s to close to 60 degrees. Scattered storms are likely Friday through Sunday.

Paul