Bridgeport Climate Station Measures More Than One Foot of Rain for July; Nearly Sets Record for the Month

The Bridgeport climate station measured 12.33" of precipitation this month, which is approximately one-half inch short of the July record of 12.84" set in 1971. Last July featured only 1.15" of precipitation.

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) July 31, 2026 at 12:26 PM

Paul

Heavy Rain Pushes Monthy Precipitation Total to Nearly One Foot at Bridgeport Climate Station

The second heavy rainstorm in one week delivered more than one month's worth of precipiation to several communities across southwestern Connecticut Wednesday. 

According to National Weather Service reports, Fairfield received the most amount of rain from the storm, with more than three-and-a-half inches (3.61") through early Wednesday morning.

However, heavy showers and thunderstorms continued through much of the day into Wednesday night, producing up to one inch of additional rain. 

Shelton (2.89"), Westport (2.87"), Stamford (2.64"), and Newtown (2.57") measured more than two-and-a-half inches of rain.

Most municipalities across southwestern Connecticut reported between one-and-a-half and three inches by Wednesday morning.

The Bridgeport climate station recorded nearly three inches (2.90") for the day, bringing the monthly total (11.93") to just about one foot, which is nearly four times the normal climatological average (3.06") through July 29.

Paul

Flood Watch Issued for Fairfield and New Haven Counties Through Wednesday

Two-to-four inches of precipitation are expected across southwestern Connectiut through Thursday at 8 p.m. EDT.

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) July 28, 2026 at 3:22 PM

Paul

Full Buck Moon Occurs This Wednesday, July 29, at 10:36 a.m. EDT

The Full Buck Moon occurs this Wednesday, July 29, at 10:36 a.m. EDT. Named for the Summer regrowth of deer and elk antlers shed in the Winter, this month’s Full Moon is also called the Thunder Moon, Hay Moon, Mead Moon, and the Rose Moon. 

July is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer rush out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. It was also often called the Full Thunder Moon since thunderstorms are common during this time of the year. 

Full Moon names date back to Native Americans in what is now the Northern and Eastern United States. The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring Full Moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. There was some variation in the Moon names but, in general, the same ones were current throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior. 

A Full Moon rises at about the same time the Sun is setting. The Full Moon will rise later and set earlier this time of the year. In addition, the Full Moon will appear lower in the sky since it won’t be visible nearly as long as during the mid-Winter nights. The Moon will be visible for about nine hours and 45 minutes. 

Conversely, six months from now in January when the amount of daylight is at a minimum, the Full Wolf Moon will appear higher in the sky and be visible for about 17-and-half-hours. That’s over eight hours longer than this time of the year! 

Paul

A Summer Reality Check

Believe it or not, the days are indeed getting "shorter." In fact, we have lost exactly 40 minutes of daylight since the first day of Summer. Sunrise on June 21 happened at 5:19 a.m. EDT. This morning's sunrise was at 5:44 a.m., 25 minutes later. Sunset is now at 8:16 p.m., 15 minutes before the latest sunset, at 8:31 p.m., in late June.

By the end of the month, sunrise occurs at 5:47 a.m., while the Sun sets at 8:10 p.m.. Two weeks later, by mid-August, the shorter days become even more pronounced, with sunrise and sunset times at 6:02 a.m. and 7:51 p.m., respectively. 

The "shorter" days have to do with the Earth's revolution around the Sun and the 23.5 degree tilt on its axis. By the end of September, the Autumnal Equinox begins a six-month period of "longer nights" and "shorter days" in the Northern Hemisphere.

Paul

Flooding Rain Creates Havoc Across Southwestern Connecticut

A series of storm systems and a warm front delivered more than four inches of rain to several southwestern Connecticut communities Tuesday, causing flooded roads, parking lots, and basements.

In fact, a Tornado Watch was issued for Fairfield and New Haven counties from mid-afternoon through late evening. 

The rain totals were quite impressive. Five southwestern Connecticut communities --- Stamford (4.92"), New Canaan (4.63"), Norwalk (4.58"), Greenwich (4.56"), and Westport (4.34") received more than four inches of rain. 

The Bridgeport climate station recorded more than two-and-a-half inches of rain Tuesday, bringing the monthly total to slightly more than nine inches (9.03").

Paul