Daily Rain Pushes Monthly Total Above Normal Through Thursday

The Bridgeport climate station recorded nearly three-quarters of an inch of rain today (0.72"), pushing the monthly total to nearly three inches (2.90"),which is slightly above normal (2.86") through today.

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— PaulPiorekWICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) November 28, 2024 at 5:34 PM

Paul

Recalling the Thanksgiving Day Snowstorm 35 Years Ago

Thirty-five years later, the Thanksgiving Day snowstorm of November 23, 1989, still remains the snowiest November day on record in southwestern Connecticut. The storm, which began Wednesday evening, November 22, delivered more than a half-foot of snow in less than 24 hours, while creating havoc on area roadways and major airports in the Northeast. Officially, 6.6 inches of snow fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford.

The first Thanksgiving Day snowstorm in 51 years postponed traditional high school football rivalry games and even prevented Snoopy and Bugs Bunny from making it to the big parade in Manhattan. Snow fell from Virginia to New England, breaking records in Boston, New Jersey, and New York City. By the time it dwindled to a flurry late Thursday, November 23, the storm delivered 4.7 inches of snow to Central Park.

The unforgettable storm was the seventh measurable Thanksgiving Day snow recorded in New York City since the National Weather Service started keeping records more than 120 years earlier. The last white Thanksgiving in the city was in 1938, when 3.9 inches of snow fell. In Newark, nearly six inches of snow fell in less than 24 hours, breaking the Thanksgiving record of four inches set in 1938.

The New York City police department said there were about 1.8 million spectators and marchers at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. They described it as a light to medium turnout. Strong gusts in the early morning tore at the seams and patches of the giant Snoopy and Bugs Bunny helium balloons, puncturing Snoopy's nose and tearing a hole in his comrade's side, a Macy's parade official, said.

Boston experienced the heaviest Thanksgiving Day snow in 65 years, and in southern New England, three to eight inches were recorded. Long Island was the hardest hit, in particular Northport and Centerport, where five to seven inches fell. In Brooklyn and New Jersey, up to five inches were reported. There were no record lows in temperature, however.

What do I most remember about the snowstorm? I just began working as the evening weather anchor at News 12 Connecticut two months earlier, and the snow caught just about everybody by surprise. Although there was some snow in the forecast, I distinctly remember telling the viewers that it shouldn't amount to much, and travel shouldn't be adversely affected. Boy, was I ever wrong!

Paul

Much-Needed Soaking Rain for Southwestern Connecticut

After nearly three months of a "moderate drought" across southwestern Connecticut, Mother Nature finally delivered much-needed rain to the region over the course of the last three days.

The Bridgeport climate station recorded nearly two inches (1.74") of rain since Thursday, putting a dent in the rainfall deficit since September 1, 2024.

In fact, the total monthly precipitation through this morning (1.95") is slightly below the normal average through yesterday (2.17").

Prior to Thursday, just a little more than one inch of precipitation (1.04") was recorded since September 1, 2024.

On the flip side, nearly 40 inches of precipitation fell over the course of the first eight months of the year. In fact, the total yearly precipitation through Friday (41.57") is nearly two-and-a-half inches above normal (39.17").

It's either feast or famine in the rain gauge but, in the end, it's another "normal" year.

Paul

More Than Two Inches of Much-Needed Rain on the Way for Southwestern Connecticut

More than two inches of rain are expected across much of southwestern Connecticut through Friday at 7 p.m. EST.

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— PaulPiorekWICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) November 19, 2024 at 5:08 PM

Paul

Much-Needed Rain on the Way for Southwestern Connecticut

More than one inch of rain is expected across southwestern Connecticut through Friday at 7 a.m. EST.

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— PaulPiorekWICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) November 18, 2024 at 5:53 AM

Paul

Most of Southwestern Connecticut Experiencing a "Moderate Drought"

Most of southwestern Connecticut is in a "moderate drought," according to the latest Drought Monitor Index released Thursday, November 14, 2024.

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— PaulPiorekWICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) November 15, 2024 at 12:51 AM

Paul

Classic Nor'easter Dumped More Than a Half-Foot of Snow on Region 12 Years Ago Today

Just nine days after Hurricane Sandy devastated parts of southwestern Connecticut, especially shoreline communities, a classic Nor'easter brought gusty winds, cold temperatures, and record-breaking snow to the region, Wednesday, November 7, 2012. The snow began falling late-morning as the storm exploded, causing bands of moderate-to-heavy snow to fall the rest of the day and through the night.

Officially, Sikorsky Memorial Airport recorded 8.3 inches of snow from November 7 through early November 8. The six inches that fell November 7 was a record for the date and the second snowiest November day on record. More than a half-foot of snow (6.2 inches) fell on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23, 1989. Three inches of snow fell on November 27, 2002. 

Here are some of the snow totals from across southwestern Connecticut:

• Monroe: 11.5"
• Danbury: 9.9"
• Bridgeport: 8.0"
• Ridgefield: 8.0"
• Darien: 7.9"
• Greenwich: 6.0"
• Trumbull: 6.0"
• New Canaan: 6.0"
• Norwalk: 5.8"
• Stamford: 5.3"

A strong North wind continued to pull colder air into much of New England throughout the day. The high temperature of 39 degrees November 7 happened at 10:21 a.m. By mid-afternoon, the mercury had dropped into the low-to-mid 30s, causing the precipitation to fall as heavy wet snow. The low temperature fell to 31 degrees at 8:24 p.m. The normal high and low temperatures for November 7 are 56 and 40 degrees, respectively. The average temperature of 35 degrees on November 7 was 13 degrees colder than the normal average of 48.

Initially, it appeared the storm would be more of a wind-maker rather than a snow-maker, as computer models pushed the center of the storm farther to the East. However, the winds never reached the 50-mph forecast gusts which were anticipated. The highest wind gust at Sikorsky Airport was 36 miles per hour out of the North, and the highest wind speed was 29 miles an hour. The average wind speed during the storm was 19.2 miles an hour.

Paul