Record Daily Rainfall Happened 18 Years Ago Today

April weather can certainly be damp and cool across southwestern Connecticut, but what happened 18 years ago today was unforgettable and record-setting. We were deluged with rain Sunday, April 23, 2006, and it caused flooded basements, closed roads, forced evacuations, and claimed two lives locally. 

In fact, nearly a half-foot of rain fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport, making it the highest single-day rainfall total on record at the time.

Unfortunately, the rain continued to hammer southwestern Connecticut all day long, while the Sun was shining at Yankee Stadium during the baseball game between New York and Baltimore in the Bronx. That was probably the most frustrating aspect, just waiting for the rain to stop. The rain was moving from South-to-North instead of West-to-East.

There's no question the 6.39" of rain which fell in Fairfield 16 years ago today is the most ever in one-day in my lifetime. I can't ever recall that much rain in a 24-hour period. The previous October was record-setting due to the foot-and-a-half of rain which fell during the month, but it was spread out over a prolonged period of time. This time, nearly two months worth of rain fell in 24 hours.

Firefighters evacuated more than 30 people, including infants, with an inflatable boat as more than five feet of water flooded streets between Halley Avenue and Mountain Grove Cemetery in Fairfield that day. Fire Chief Richard Felner, a good friend of mine, said that nobody was injured in the worst flooding to hit Fairfield in at least a decade.

Around town, most of the people with whom I spoke had their own tales to tell. Most of the people who live along the Rooster River said it was the worst flooding in their neighborhood in more than 25 years. According to The Connecticut Post, Toni Bodor of Fairfield said what many of us felt. "It just kept going. Before we knew it, it was right to the top of the wheels of my car. It happened so suddenly. I kept checking out one window, the front and back, before I realized I couldn't move my car."

The magnitude of the flooding in Fairfield hit me with news of the death of a town resident. According to our morning newscast, seventy-one year old Elsbeth Schubiger lived with her husband on Bradford Street, just feet from the Rooster River. Investigators found her body lodged between a tree and a retaining wall the following morning.

Police say Schubiger was cleaning up debris along the swollen river when she apparently slipped, lost her balance, and fell into the fast-moving waters. Her death is a tragic reminder of nature's wrath, even in one's own backyard.

As for neighboring Bridgeport, the city established a single-day record of 5.3" which caused 13 people to be evacuated from an apartment building where up to four-feet of water built up in front of the three-story structure. Firefighters were able to remove six residents by boat, while the seven remaining residents were escorted to safety 45 minutes later.

Westport received nearly a half-foot of rain (5.37"), and the heavy rains contributed to the death of a Shelton child early Sunday morning. The youngster, who celebrated her first birthday the previous Tuesday, died when the car in which she was riding, slid out of control on the Merritt Parkway in Westport.

Rainfall totals from across southwestern Connecticut were impressive, to say the least. Other communities with at least four inches of rain included Milford (5.46"), New Canaan (5.17"), Norwalk (4.87"), Woodbridge (4.79"), and Southport (4.31"). Consider that the normal rainfall for the entire month of April is 3.99" based on 40 years of averages.

Paul

55th Annual Earth Day Observance

Today is Earth Day, which was first observed 54 years ago on this same date in 1970. There's no question we've become better stewards of our planet over the last five-plus decades. Earth Day founder Senator Gaylord Nelson passed away in July of 2005 at the age of 89. He believed strongly that education is the key to changing people’s attitudes about the environment, and he devoted much of his time and energy to that challenge.

“The idea of Earth Day evolved over a period of seven years starting in 1962,” he wrote. “For several years it had been troubling me that the state of our environment was simply a non-issue in the politics of the country. Finally, in November of 1962, an idea occurred to me that was, I thought, a virtual cinch to put the environment into the political ‘limelight’ once and for all. The idea was to persuade President Kennedy to give visibility to this issue. It was the germ of the idea that ultimately flowered into Earth Day.”

According to Senator Nelson, the first Earth Day “worked” because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. Though he felt he and his committee had neither the time nor resources to organize the 20 million demonstrators and the thousands of schools and local communities that participated, “it organized itself.”

So, how have things changed in the last 54 years? Certainly, we’ve become more aware of the need to take better care of our planet. Many important laws were passed in the wake of the first Earth Day, including the Clean Air Act, and laws to protect water, wild lands, and the ocean. The Environmental Protection Agency was created within three years of the first Earth Day.

Personally, I’ve seen a dramatic change over the last half-century. What I clearly remember as a child is taking a weekly pilgrimage with my Dad every Saturday afternoon to the town dump. Dad loaded the family car with all kinds of debris and junk from the basement, and we followed the dirt path, greeted the seagulls, and dumped everything at the landfill. The garbage was simply buried. Today, our garbage is turned into electricity or, in some cases, steam.

Garbage isn’t something most of us want to think about, but managing nearly 230 tons we generate each year has consequences. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the amount of garbage Americans generate has increased from 88 million tons to over 229 million tons since 1960. Fifty-two years ago, Americans produced about 2.7 pounds of garbage each day. By 2001, though, that amount jumped to 4.4 pounds a person each day.

I’m impressed at what has been done locally to address the issue of waste reduction. The Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority’s Bridgeport Project consists of a 2,250 ton-per-day mass-burn trash-to-energy facility, eight transfer stations, two landfills, a regional recycling center, and the Children’s Garbage Museum. The Bridgeport Project provides solid waste disposal and recycling services to 20 Connecticut communities in Fairfield and New Haven counties.

The Bridgeport Project trash-to-energy plant, which is located at 6 Howard Avenue in Bridgeport is truly an impressive facility. Take your family there, and I’m sure all of you will be amazed at what you see. It’s the perfect example of how “one man’s trash becomes another man’s treasure.” I’ve visited the plant several times, and each time I come away with a better understanding of how we manage our trash.

The solid waste is burned in a controlled environment to create electricity. Through this process, the volume of solid waste is reduced by about 90%. Waste-to-energy plants nationwide generate enough electricity to power nearly 2.3 million homes. Energy created in the Bridgeport facility has about the same environmental impact as energy produced from natural gas, and less impact than from oil or coal plants.

Recycling? We never bothered to recycle anything over a generation ago. Everything was considered “trash” back then. Now, we carefully sort our recyclables each week and place them in the blue bins. Recycled items include paper, aluminum, steel, plastics, glass, scrap tips, cell phones, and electronics. Americans recycled and composted nearly 30% of municipal solid waste in 2001, diverting 68 million tons to recovery.

Did you know, for example, that 71% of all newspapers are recovered for recycling? Over a third goes back into making more newsprint. The remainder is used to make paperboard, tissue, and insulation. Seventy-four percent of boxes are recycled, and nearly 46% of office papers are recovered for recycling. These become raw material for printing and writing paper.

So, yes, we’ve come a long way since the first Earth Day was “celebrated” on April 22, 1970. Much has been done since then, but there’s still a long way to go. The late Senator Gaylord Nelson said education was the key to changing people’s attitudes about the environment, and the more aware we become about our planet, the better we'll be able to take care of it.

God bless Planet Earth.

Paul

Full Pink Moon Will Brighten April's Night Sky

The Full Pink Moon occurs Tuesday, April 23, at 7:49 p.m. EDT.  Full Moon names date back to the days of the Native Americans in what is now the Northern and Eastern United States. 

The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving them names to each recurring Full Moon. The names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. There have been some variations of the Moon names but, in general, the same ones were applied throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior.

So, how did the Full Pink Moon get its name? Well, the name comes from the herb moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the Spring. Other names for this month’s celestial body include the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, Egg Moon, and the Full Fish Moon, because this was the time that the shad swam upstream to spawn.

Farmers are encouraged to transplant during a Full Moon, when the lunar flower force is supposedly strong. The moisture content becomes low during the waning phase and less sap is rising in the trees and shrubs, so it’s a good time to do your pruning and attack weeds. According to lunar planting folklore, root plants should go into the ground during a waning Moon. It is also the best time to turn over the soil.

Enjoy the Full Pink Moon.

Paul

Yearly Precipitation Total Eclipses 21 Inches

The Bridgeport climate station recorded 0.21" of rain Thursday, pushing the yearly total to 21 inches (21.01"), which is more than eight inches above normal (12.89"). pic.twitter.com/CIjqvafWUN

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) April 19, 2024

Paul

Powerful Nor'easter Hammered Region 17 Years Ago Today

A powerful Nor'easter hammered the region 17 years ago today, Sunday, April 15, 2007, causing widespread flooding, damage, and destruction to many homes and businesses across southwestern Connecticut. 

My basement was a disaster area, and the sight of water pouring into the cellar through the walls was alarming. Many local communities received more than a half-foot of rain in one day, including an incredible 7.50 inches in Weston.

Our viewers became an active part of the News 12 Connecticut weather team 17 years ago with their weather observations, comments, and photos. They always came through for us in major storms, and that day was no exception. Geoff Wood of Darien sent the adjacent photo of his home on Crimmins Road in Darien. "For us, this is the second time we have been flooded out of our house in six weeks," he wrote. Many people shared his pain.

Perhaps no picture better illustrates the destruction of the Nor'easter better than this one. Viewer Donna Dutko sent this photo of "the little pink antique store at the corner of Route 7 and Branchville Station." As you can see, the store collapsed from the force of the water and was partially submerged. The water was almost up to the railroad tracks, too.

Judy Callirgos of Redding sent many photos of the flooding on her street, in her yard, and around her home. "I live on the Saugatuck and my house was truly an island yesterday," she wrote. "I had to create a dam at the end of my driveway to divert the water." Redding also received over a half-foot of rain, leading to flooding problems throughout town.

Cynthia Zizzi of the Cos Cob section of Greenwich sent several photos along upper Valley Road in North Mianus. Cynthia wrote, "Paul, I walk my dog, Dodger, a golden retriever, every day weather permitting, and these are some of my favorite views. The best is the old foundation. I believe it was an old home or could have been part of the woolen mill that burned in 1938."

Sheridan Black of Milford forwarded some photos from Bayview Beach of waves crashing against homes along the shoreline. She wrote, "Last night (Sunday night), I decided to stay the night at my beach house with my aunt and uncle. The whole road was flooded and the water came right up to the deck. The water is usually 30 feet away from the house, and now, if I wanted to, I could stand on the deck and touch it."

Stamford recorded nearly seven inches of rain (6.84"), causing massive flooding of roads and headaches for motorists. Martin Silverman told of "the extreme road conditions at the intersection of High Ridge Road and Wire Mill." Notice the plow attempting to push the standing water off High Ridge Road near the Merritt Parkway. I've heard many stories from motorists who had to find alternate routes or who were stranded on flooded roads during the height of the flooding.

Darien received nearly a half-foot of rain (5.93"). Richard Miller took this photo of Hoyt Street Sunday afternoon, April 15, at 4 o'clock. He jokingly wrote, "I thought I would share this with you before we go for a lap swim." As you can see, driving was dangerous just about everywhere.

New Canaan was another community which received nearly a half-foot of rain (5.40"). John Festo sent us several pictures of Mill Pond overflowing its banks. It almost looks as though the force of the raging water is about to cover the bridge and send it sailing downstream. Also, the banks of the river were already flooded.

The view from Fairfield Beach was wet and windy. Kathy wrote, "This is a view of my backyard. I live one block from Fairfield Beach on Reef Road. My yard is flooded from the rain only, and now we are waiting for high tide to see if we need to evacuate. It was so windy we could lean into the wind, and it held us up." Fairfield was one of the communities which received well over a half-foot of rain (6.55") in one day.

I'm sure you'll never forget the Nor'easter of Sunday, April 15, 2007. I know I won't.

Paul

Connecticut Post Feature Story Highlights My Careers in Media, Meteorology, & Education

The Connecticut Post published a feature story about my dual careers as a television & radio meteorologist and teacher of Mathematics and Science:https://t.co/pFr80Jd2c1

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) April 11, 2024

Paul

Seasonal Snowfall Record Smashed 28 Years Ago Today

Seasonal snowfall records were smashed across much of New England when heavy, wet snow buried Northern New England and delivered nearly a foot of snow (11.3″) to Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford from the evening of April 9 through the morning of April 10, 1996. 

It was a fitting end to the Winter that just didn’t seem to want to end. In fact, the first snowfall of the season happened the previous November.

When the last flake had fallen, 75.8″ of snow had fallen in southwestern Connecticut that Winter, breaking the previous mark of 71.3″ established over 60 years earlier in 1933-34. Hartford finished the 1995-96 Winter with a record 114.6 inches, which eclipsed the previous mark of 84.9 inches only two years earlier. Here’s a look at snowfall records which were established in the Northeast during the 1995-96 season (click to enlarge):

What I most remember about that snowstorm was a telephone call I received from my brother and sister-in-law, who were living in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, at the time. That little town at the base of Mount Monadnock made national headlines when the second major snowstorm in three days produced nearly two feet (21 inches) of snow. My brother and sister-in-law were convinced that they were snowbound for awhile.

We also laughed about how much we were looking forward to seeing the first-ever baseball game at the brand new New Britain Stadium just two days later. The Eastern League’s Rock Cats were unveiling their state-of-the-art ballpark against the rival New Haven Ravens, and we were convinced the game wasn’t going to happen. We had purchased tickets well in advance. However, the game did go on as scheduled, and we enjoyed the festivities, despite temperatures in the lower 30s and snow in the parking lot!

Consider that the normal average snowfall for southwestern Connecticut for the month of April is only 0.9″ based on 40 years of record-keeping, and the normal average Winter snowfall is about 26.3 inches.

Paul

Today Marks 42nd Anniversary of Snowiest April Day on Record

Today marks the 42nd anniversary of the snowiest April day on record in southwestern Connecticut. What made the storm even more memorable were the gusty winds and cold temperatures. 

Record lows of 19, 18, and 23 degrees were established from April 6 through April 8, 1982, respectively, well below the 38-degree normal low temperature for this time of the year.

The snowstorm of Tuesday, April 6,1982, was one of the most remarkable late-season snowfalls to strike the Northeast. Snowfall accumulations from 10 inches to more than one foot occurred over much of Long Island, but the accompanying very cold temperatures and high winds caused extensive blowing and drifting of snow which was unprecedented for early April. 

Take a look at the following photo from New York City during the height of the storm.

More than a foot of snow (13") fell at Newark, New Jersey, 10 inches (9.8") blanketed New York City, and more than two feet of snow fell across upstate New York. The primary storm resurfaced off the New Jersey coast, producing gale force winds of up to 60 miles an hour. It was the heaviest April snow in New York City since April 3 and 4 of 1915 when 10 inches fell.

The heavy snow forced the cancellation of the Yankees’ 1982 home opener against the Rangers at Yankee Stadium. Even worse, the weather stayed cold, and the Yanks cancelled another game against Texas, two games against the White Sox, and they eventually opened on Easter Sunday, April 11, 1982, by dropping both ends of a doubleheader to Chicago.

Paul

Bridgeport Tops 20-Inch Mark of Measured Precipitation This Year

The Bridgeport climate station has recorded 20.01" of precipitation this year, which is more than nine inches above normal (10.93") through Thursday. pic.twitter.com/q0FQQnD2gV

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) April 5, 2024

Paul

April is Wettest Month of the Year

April is the wettest month of the year at the Bridgeport climate station with an average of 4.16" of precipitation. In fact, two of the top six single day precipitation totals occurred in April. pic.twitter.com/95oH0ztocl

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) April 1, 2024

Paul

Record-Breaking March Featured Wet and Mild Weather

It's official.

Last month was the wettest March on record at the Bridgeport climate station. Officially, 10.38" of precipitation was recorded, eclipsing the previous mark of 10.2 set in 2010.

The normal average precipitation for the month is 4.09" based on 30 years of climatology.

There were five days with at least one inch of rain, five days with at least one-half inch, and eight days with at least one-tenth of an inch of precipitation. There were 10 days overall with measured precipitation.

March was warmer-than-normal, too. In fact, the monthly average temperature of 45.5 degrees was 5.6 degrees warmer-than-normal. The range was 72 degrees (March 15) and 25 degrees (March 22). 

It was the third consecutive month this year during which the average monthly temperature was at least 3.1 degrees above normal.

All but five days featured warmer-than-normal average temperatures, including a stretch of 19 days in a row beginning on March 2.

Paul

Easter Sunday Features Sunshine and Milder Air Across Southwestern Connecticut

The date of Easter Sunday can happen as early as March 22 and as late as April 25, so weather conditions can vary greatly from year to year. We lucked out this year. Today will be mostly sunny and mild with a high temperature near 60° F across southwestern Connecticut. pic.twitter.com/kCe60D7W56

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 31, 2024

Paul

April to Begin on a Wet Note Across Southwestern Connecticut

Here we go again. After record-setting March precipitation at the Bridgeport climate station, April will begin in the same fashion. More than three-quarters of an inch of rain is expected across southwestern Connecticut through Tuesday at 8 p.m. EDT. pic.twitter.com/57M0LO2qRj

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 30, 2024

Today Marks 54th Anniversary of Easter Sunday Snowstorm

The month of March is arguably the most unpredictable as far as weather is concerned in southwestern Connecticut. Today marks the 54th anniversary of the unforgettable Easter Sunday snowstorm of March 29, 1970. Remember, a snowstorm this late in the season in southwestern Connecticut is extremely rare. 

The normal high temperature is almost 20 degrees warmer than the freezing point, while the normal low temperature is 35 degrees. In addition, the higher angle of the Sun, its stronger rays, and more than 12 hours of daylight all contribute to a Springtime feel of the air.

That's why the Easter Sunday snowstorm is so memorable. Adding to its uniqueness was the fact that it happened on Easter, a day on which many people travel to church services and to see relatives. Below are copies of the front pages from The Bridgeport Telegram and The Bridgeport Post from Monday, March 30, 1970, courtesy of Sarah Greenberg of the Bridgeport Public Library's Historical Collections Department.

More than a half-foot of snow fell in the Greater Bridgeport area and, to make matters worse, the mercury plummeted to 16 degrees the following morning at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford and 14 degrees in Norwalk.

According to The Hour newspaper of Norwalk, eight inches of snow fell in the city. The front page of the Norwalk newspaper (below) from the following morning, March 30, is courtesy of Judy Rivas of the Norwalk Public Library.

"The weatherman pulled a somewhat premature April Fool's Day gag on Norwalkers Sunday and in the bargain, turned the Easter Parade into a trek more fitting for Siberian slopes than West Avenue," the article stated. "The snowfall, which came shortly after the traditional Easter Sunrise Service at Calf Pasture Beach, caught many a midmorning churchgoer unawares."

Although Easter occurred quite early that year, an Easter Sunday snowfall hadn't been recorded in southern Connecticut since 1915, when eight inches of snow fell April 3 and 4. The 1970 snowstorm began at about 8:30 a.m. and persisted throughout the day until early evening, accompanied by wind gusts up to 30 miles an hour. Remember, the date on which Easter falls fluctuates each year. It is observed on the first Sunday following the first Full Moon after the Vernal Equinox.

"The state highway department began plowing roads Sunday, though reports indicated much of its snow-fighting equipment was stored away to begin Spring cleanup of sand and road trash instead of snow," according to The Hour. "State police, in a statewide survey of conditions, reported most roads were snow or ice-covered, with extremely slippery conditions."

The following day, Monday, March 30, was an unscheduled holiday for many area schoolchildren due to the snow, wind, and brutally cold temperatures. Only New Canaan and Darien opened their schools, "as most towns, faced with slippery roads and unplowed school yards, cancelled classes."

Although I was only 11 years old and in sixth-grade at the time, the memory of that snowstorm is as vivid today as it was 41 years ago. As a young child, I was excited that we didn't have to go to church or drive to grandma's house for dinner. Instead, our family spent the day at home, enjoying the snow and the holiday together. Oddly, four years later, 7.6" of snow fell at Sikorsky Airport on the same date.

Special thanks are extended to Judy Rivas of the Norwalk Public Library and Sarah Greenberg of the Bridgeport Public Library for helping me research the snowstorm. I appreciate their time and thoughtfulness.

Paul

Wettest March on Record at Bridgeport

The Bridgeport climate station reported more than one inch (1.12") of rain today, bringing the monthly total to 10.29" and making it the wettest March on record (10.2" in 2010). pic.twitter.com/qjAESfrNJE

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 28, 2024

One Month's Worth of Heavy Rain Fell Across Southwestern Connecticut Saturday

Fairfield reported more than three-and-a-half inches of rain from Saturday's storm. Here are the latest rainfall totals from across the region, courtesy of the National Weather Service: https://t.co/ehuHaicM03 pic.twitter.com/h1li7cBYPS

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 24, 2024

Paul

Flood Watch in Effect for Southwestern Connecticut Through Sunday, March 24, 2024, at 2 a.m. EDT

Approximately three inches of rain are expected across southwestern Connecticut through Sunday at 2 a.m. EDT. pic.twitter.com/MXT9J0GpGO

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 23, 2024

Paul

Old Man Winter Delivered Vernal Equinox Snowstorm Nine Years Ago Today

A late-March snowstorm on the Vernal Equinox brought a half-foot of snow to several local communities and caused most school systems throughout the region to dismiss early, Friday, March 20, 2015. The snow began falling just after noon, and it became steadier and heavier throughout the afternoon, resulting in numerous fender-benders on local roads.

According to the National Weather Service official report, Weston led the way with 6.5 inches, followed by Norwalk (6.3"), New Canaan (6.3"), Shelton (5.5"), and Easton (5.5"). Just over five inches (5.3") fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, which was just shy for the record for the date of 5.5" set in 1958.

The snowfall pushed the monthly snow total to 16.7", which is well above the normal (5.1") for the month of March. It also pushed the snowfall for the 2014-2015 season to 57.8", which eclipses the previous year's total of 56.6" through the same date. The normal amount of snowfall through March 20 is just 25.7" based on 40 years of climatology.

Paul

Spring Arrives Today at 11:06 p.m. EDT in the Northern Hemisphere

Today is the last full day of Winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Spring officially arrives in the Northern Hemisphere at 11:06 p.m. EDT. That's when the direct rays of the Sun pass over the Equator, technically creating "equal day and equal night" over the face of the Earth.

I've always observed the change of seasons with more reverence and awe than New Year's Eve. After all, the beginning of a new year is an arbitrary date which can actually be recognized just about any time during the year. However, an equinox or a solstice is a much more meaningful "event" and can be explained astronomically. The time is exact and changes every year although, for the most part, the date doesn't vary much.

The change of seasons is due to the 23.4 degree tilt of the Earth's axis. Because of the tilt, we receive the Sun's rays most directly in the Summer. In the Winter, when we are tilted away from the Sun, the rays pass through the atmosphere at a greater slant, bringing lower temperatures. If the Earth rotated on an axis perpendicular to the plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun, there would be no variation in day lengths or temperatures throughout the year, and we would not have seasons.

Now that Winter is just about in our rear-view mirror, how did we fare as far as snow is concerned? Officially, slightly more than one foot (15.6") of snow fell this season at the Bridgeport climate station, which is slightly more than half the normal snowfall (30.8) through today.

Southwestern Connecticut didn't experience much of a Winter. However, recent history suggests that the official change of seasons in the Northern Hemisphere doesn't necessarily mean a smooth transition from Winter to Spring.

Happy Spring!

Paul

We're Enjoying the "Luck of the Irish" on St. Patrick's Day

The air temperature is 59° F with a 35° dew point and a generous southwest breeze under a mix of sunshine and clouds at the mouth of the Mill River near Sasco Hill in Southport. pic.twitter.com/eBPvaoa4ri

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 17, 2024

Paul

Mild March Madness Continues Across Southwestern Connecticut

The average temperature this month at the Bridgeport climate station is 47° F, which is 9.4° warmer-than-normal. Every day except March 1 has been warmer-than-normal, including seven days with average temperatures at least 10° above normal. pic.twitter.com/uSck0AH3WK

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 16, 2024

Paul

Record High "Room Temperature" of 72 Degrees Established at Bridgeport Today

The Bridgeport climate station established a record high temperature for today of 72° F (1:54 p.m. EDT), which eclipsed the previous mark of 65° set in 1990. The normal high temperature for March 15 is 47°. pic.twitter.com/OnOY2q5udD

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 15, 2024

Paul

March 13 Is an Unforgettable Day in Local Weather History

Three of the most unforgettable weather events in recent history happened on this date. Two powerful storms and an all-time record high temperature for the season occurred on March 13, highlighting the unpredictability of the weather this time of the year. If you're of a certain age, I'm sure you remember all three weather "events."

As hard as it may seem to believe, the temperature climbed to an incredible 84 degrees at Sikorsky Memorial Airport on March 13, 1990. That established a record high for the date, month, and the Winter season. The normal high temperature for this date is only 45 degrees, and the normal low is a chilly 31.

During March, a battle rages between the Spring and Winter seasons, and that makes predicting the temperatures during this month as difficult as any time during the year. The amount of daylight continues to grow each day, and the Vernal Equinox, the first day of Spring, is a week away. But, Old Man Winter has no intentions of packing his bags just yet.

I distinctly remember watching and feeling the temperature climb that day due to a strong Westerly wind. The wind direction was extremely important, since the flow didn't come from the cooler waters on Long Island Sound. I was the evening weather anchor at News 12 Connecticut 33 years ago, and our "weather video" showed people flocking to a local beach to soak up the sun and warm temperatures. I'll never forget that day.

Then, just three years later, Saturday, March 13, 1993, the famed Storm of the Century pounded the Eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine. Locally, over a foot of snow fell across southwestern Connecticut, winds gusted over 40 miles an hour, and wind chills hovered at or close to zero throughout the day. It was the second snowiest day on record for March, and it will always be remembered because it affected such a large area.

Very heavy snow accumulated in the south. Birmingham, Alabama, picked up a foot of snow. Snow covered the ground from Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle. The heavy snow spread northward along the East Coast to Maine. On Saturday, March 13, every airport in the Eastern states was closed. Snowfall ranged up to four feet on Mount Mitchell, North Carolina. Atlanta, Georgia, picked up three inches. Chattanooga, Tennessee, received up 21 inches. During the peak of the storm, about 30 percent of the entire country was hit by the rough weather.

Very warm, humid air moved across central Florida and, combined with the energy of the storm, helped spawn the 27 tornadoes. Winds were clocked at 99 mph on an oil platform off the Louisiana coast. Overall the storm took 285 lives, mostly because of tornadoes. The storm became the costliest nontropical storm in Florida's history. States of emergency were declared throughout the eastern portion of the country. The adjacent map shows the total snowfall for the storm.

I was called in for storm coverage that Saturday morning, and we remained on the air for more than 12 hours. Aside from the heavy snow, what I remember most from that day was the rapidly falling barometer. The pressure dropped to 28.35 inches in parts of New England, which is usually only observed in hurricanes. They peak at almost the exact opposite time of the year. By comparison, the normal average barometer reading for southwestern Connecticut is 30.02 inches.

The storm was deepening and intensifying as it moved toward New England, and the howling winds didn't let up. In the wake of the storm, back-to-back record low temperatures of 16 and 12 degrees were established on March 14 and 15, respectively, at Sikorsky Airport.

Then, 14 years ago, a powerful Nor'easter hammered Connecticut and, specifically, Fairfield County. The damaging wind gusts of 60 to 65 miles an hour, flooding rains, massive power outages, impassable roads, and week-long school closings won't soon be forgotten. We received incredible videos and photos of the widespread destruction across southwestern Connecticut. The following photos were sent by News 12 Connecticut viewers.

Former Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that the storm caused more than $7 million in damage statewide, and she requested a visit from Federal Emergency Management Agency officials to assess the damage. The Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security estimated $2.8 million worth of damage in Fairfield County alone. Fairfield County qualified for federal disaster assistance.

Preliminary damage estimates in Norwalk totaled more than $335,000, and damage to private homes was even greater. Damage to public buildings and parks, and the cost of funding police, fire, and city employee overtime reached about $335,065, according to the city's director of finance. The scoreboard at Brien McMahon High School was the single most expensive piece of property destroyed in the storm. It was estimated at $18,000.

Stamford officials estimate private property damage at $3.58 million. Damage to public property was estimated at $262,000, and total overtime for city crews at $143,086. Tens of thousands of people lost power, and three school systems were closed for a week. Heavy rain delivered up to one-half inch per hour during the afternoon of March 13. Here is a sampling of area rainfall totals for that day:

• New Canaan: 4.34"
• Easton: 4.33"
• Wilton: 4.01"
• Stratford: 3.33"
• Woodbridge: 3.12"
• Westport: 2.97"
• Milford: 2.91"

This is certainly a date which will be remembered for dramatic weather three times over the last 34 years.

Paul

Flood Watch in Effect for Southwestern Connecticut

A Flood Watch will be in effect for southwestern Connecticut from Saturday at 10 p.m. EST through Sunday at 9 a.m. EDT: https://t.co/xVhUMdHh2g pic.twitter.com/ygEhrpXfpt

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 9, 2024

Nearly Four Inches of Precipitation Measured This Month at Bridgeport Climate Station

The Bridgeport climate station has recorded just about four inches (3.99") of precipitation this month, which is more than three inches above normal (0.92") through Thursday. pic.twitter.com/yPGuPYQtTw

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 8, 2024

Paul

Record High Temperature Established at Bridgeport This Afternoon

Today's high temperature at the Bridgeport climate station was 65° F (3:47 p.m. EST), which established a record high for this date, breaking the previous mark of 58° (2004). The normal high temperature for March 3 is 44°. pic.twitter.com/p5AYGJtH8K

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 3, 2024

Paul

February Warmer- and Drier-Than-Normal Across Southwestern Connecticut

The month of February was mild and dry across southwestern Connecticut. In fact, the first 13 days of the month featured above-average temperatures. Also, following two consecutive months which delivered a combined 14.41" of precipitation, last month offered a break for the overworked rain gauge.

The average monthly temperature for February at the Bridgeport climate station was 36.7° F, which is 3.6° warmer-than-normal. The range was 56° (Feb. 10) and 19° (Feb. 25). There were just eight days with below normal average temperatures. February 10 and 28 had average temperatures of 13 degrees above normal each day.

The total precipitation for February at the Bridgeport climate station was 1.86" which is 1.26" below normal. There were only two days with at least a half-inch of precipitation (Feb. 13 & Feb. 27). There were four days with at least one-tenth of an inch of precipitation and nine days with at least one-hundredth of an inch of precipitation.

Paul

"Meteorological Spring" and March Opened on a Snowy Note Nine Years Ago

A snowstorm socked southwestern Connecticut with an average of a half-foot of snow Sunday, March 1, 2015. Officially, five inches of snow fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport, tying the record for the date. However, Weston (7.5"), Darien (7"), Stamford (6"), and Fairfield (6") received at least a half-foot of snow. Here is the official report from the National Weather Service.

The five inches at Bridgeport brought the season total to 46.1" which is more than double the normal amount (22.4") through March 1. However, it still paled in comparison to the previous year's amount of 56.5" through the same date. It was also the 17th day out of 29 since February 1st with at least a trace of snow at Bridgeport.
                                

Paul

Today's Low Temperature of 19 Degrees is Coldest Morning This Month

This morning's low temperature at the Bridgeport climate station was 19° F, which is the coldest temperature this month. pic.twitter.com/xOAvdsm2eJ

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) February 25, 2024

Paul

February Warmer-Than-Normal in Southwestern Connecticut

The average monthly temperature at the Bridgeport climate station is 36.2° F, which is 3.6° warmer-than-nromal. The average daily temperature has not dropped below 28° for the entire month of February. pic.twitter.com/gSjazr6Lb9

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) February 25, 2024

Paul

Above Average Temperatues Expected Over the Next Two Weeks

Above-average temperatures are expected across the northeast over the next two weeks. A taste of early Spring will be in the air. pic.twitter.com/gKhmDYqbV1

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) February 21, 2024

Paul

Full Snow Moon Happens This Saturday, February 24

The Full Snow Moon happens this Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 7:30 a.m. EST. Native Americans called it the Snow Moon due to the heavy snowfall that usually falls during February in the Northern Hemisphere. pic.twitter.com/Pcwfbg04Tc

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) February 21, 2024

Paul

Snowy Saturday Across Southwestern Connecticut

The Bridgeport climate station recorded 2.5" of snow today, bringing the monthly total to 10.1" and the season total to 15.6" since December 1. That's about five inches below normal (20.7"), but well ahead of last year's negligible total (0.8"). pic.twitter.com/xTtQtUhOYA

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) February 18, 2024

Paul

Marking the 21st Anniversary of the Presidents Day Blizzard of 2003

Today, February 17, marks the 21st anniversary of the unforgettable Presidents Day Blizzard of 2003. It ranked as the snowiest day on record at the time at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, tying the previous mark of 16 inches established on December 19, 1948. In New York's Central Park, where records date back well over a century, the 19.8 inches ranked as the fifth snowiest single day total. The weather map below is from midday February 17, 2003.

The snowfall totals across southwestern Connecticut were impressive. Darien and New Canaan measured the most snow (20 inches), while Westport (19"), Bridgeport (17"), Norwalk (16"), and Milford (15") also posted impressive totals. New Fairfield, in Northern Fairfield County, led the way locally with exactly two feet of snow. Here is the satellite image of the massive storm.

The magnitude of the storm was quite impressive. It spread heavy snow across the major cities in the Northeast from Washington to Boston. In fact, it was the biggest snowstorm on record in Baltimore (28.2") and Boston (27.5"). The storm actually developed in the southern Rockies on February 14 and moved through southern Missouri and the lower Tennessee Valley over the next two days. Eventually, the storm brought heavy rain and severe weather to the deep South.

In the Northeast, Arctic air helped slow down the storm and kept all of the precipitation in the form of snow and some sleet. By late Sunday evening, February 16, the snow reached the New York City area, and by midnight, it was snowing across all of southwestern Connecticut. A secondary area of low pressure developed off the Virginia coast the morning of February 17, turning the Nor'easter into a full-blown blizzard.

Paul