"And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights." You may be familiar with the King James bible version of the book of Genesis, chapter seven, verse 12. That verse may very well apply to our weather across southwestern Connecticut since August 1. Over the last 40 days, we have received more than a foot of rain. Although it hasn't rained every single day, the weather pattern has been extremely wet.
Heavy downpours happened last night and early this morning, creating dangerous conditions on area roadways. Heavy showers and a possible thunderstorm will continue through midday before tapering this afternoon. However, local rivers and streams are swollen, and flooding of low-lying areas can be expected. A Flood Watch has been issued for Northern Fairfield County through this afternoon.
Nearly a half-inch (0.41") of rain fell yesterday, bringing the two-day total to 2.75 inches. Consider the normal rainfall for the first week of September is 0.80 inches. Cumulatively, since August 1, we've had 12.32 inches of rain, including the delgue from Tropical Storm Irene, and the heavy rain from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee. There have been 14 days with measured rain since the first of August, including five days with more than one inch. Here is a photo taken yesterday of the Mianus River in Stamford.
There have been three days with more than two inches of rain. They include August 14 (2.75"), August 28 (2.50"), and September 6 (2.34"). There were heavy rains on back-to-back days four times, including August 6 and 7 (1.26"), August 14 and 15 (3.17"), August 14 and 15 (3.17), and September 6 and 7 (2.75"). Today's rain will bring the three-day total to nearly three-and-a-half inches, which is the normal rainfall for the entire month.
Fortunately, our weather picture will gradually improve over the next couple of days. Tomorrow will become partly sunny, warmer, and more humid with a slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm and a high near 80 degrees. There may be an early shower or two Saturday, but the day will feature a mix of sun and clouds with a high in the middle 70s. Sunday will be partly sunny with a high in the 70s.
"And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights." Tomorrow marks 40 days since August 1. It's about time our weather pattern changed.
Paul
