Violent Thunderstorm and Tornado Ripped Through Bridgeport 16 Years Ago Today

It only took a matter of minutes, but a violent thunderstorm spawned a tornado which ripped through Bridgeport 16 years ago today, Thursday, June 24, 2010, resulting in much damage, destruction, and a loss of electricity for thousands. A powerful cold front collided with a hot and humid air mass to set the stage for a Tornado Warning and a strong thunderstorm cell between 2 and 3 o'clock that afternoon.

The temperature soared to 90 degrees for the second day in a row at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford that day, but the dew point --- or moisture content in the atmosphere --- was extremely high. As the front approached, the sky darkened, the heavens opened up, and vivid lightning along with hurricane-force wind gusts ripped through the Park City. 

There was dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning and a wind gust of 78 miles-an-hour in Bridgeport. The average wind speed during the height of the storm was 43 miles-an-hour. Nearly a half-inch of rain fell in a short period of time, resulting in some minor flooding of low-lying areas. But, it was the wind damage which caused a state of emergency to be declared in Bridgeport. 

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch and former Governor Jodi Rell arrived on the scene to survey the damage from the storm. "It looks like Godzilla went through and ripped roofs off and threw cars around and tore wires down," Finch said as he spoke with reporters and residents who had gathered in the streets. "I mean, it's really amazing," he added.

Personally, my family and I ran to the basement that afternoon once we heard a Tornado Warning was issued and the skies darkened. In a matter of minutes, the wind began to howl and heavy rain fell. My sons were worried that a tornado would rip apart our home. Not unexpectedly, the power went out, but the storm exited shortly thereafter. We didn't get our electricity back until just before midnight. 

Paul

"Severe Drought" Plagues Extreme Southwestern Connecticut

The United States Drought Monitor Index, which is released each week, places extreme southwestern Connecticut in a "severe drought," as of Thursday, June 18, 2026.

The Bridgeport climate station has recorded 1.01" of precipitation this month through June 19, which is well below the 2.59" normal through the same period based on 30 years of climatology. As a result, the region is more than one-and-a-half inches (-1.58") below normal for June. 

The yearly precipitation total of 15.28" since January 1 is close to one-half foot (-5.44") below normal (20.72") through the period. Four of the first five months this year featured below-normal precipitation, including January (-0.77"), February (-0.25"), April (-2.42"), and May (-0.98").

The Bridgeport climate station recorded measured precipitation only four days this month, including the 0.65" in less than one hour during the thunderstorm of June 11th. The other dates include June 6 (0.10"), June 14 (0.08"), and June 15 (0.18").

Fortunately, there is rain in the forecast. In fact, more than one-and-a-half inches of precipitation are expected across southwestern Connecticut through Tuesday at 8 a.m. EDT.

A rain dance wouldn't hurt, however.

Paul

Extreme Southwestern Connecticut Experiencing a "Severe Drought," According to Latest Drought Monitor Index

Extreme southwestern Connecticut is experiencing a "severe drought," according to the latest United States Drought Monitor Index released Thursday, June 18, 2026.

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) June 18, 2026 at 6:03 PM

Paul

Summer Solstice Happens One Week From Today, Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 4:24 a.m. EDT

Ask any child when Summer begins, and he or she will undoubtedly respond with the date of the last day of school. Ask an adult and his or her answer is most likely either June 20 or June 21. In case you're wondering, the Summer Solstice happens next Sunday, June 21, at 4:24 a.m. EDT.

That’s when the Sun’s rays will be directly over the Tropic of Cancer, marking their northernmost point on the face of the Earth. The Sun rises at 5:19 a.m. and sets at 8:30 p.m., which is the latest Sunset during the year. We’ll enjoy 15 hours and 11 minutes of Sunlight on the first day of Summer.

Two days later, the Sun rises at 5:20, and the days begin to get “shorter” once again. Remember, since the first day of Summer is theoretically “the longest day” of the year, the days actually become shorter by the end of the month and the remainder of the Summer.

So, why does the Summer Solstice actually happen? Well, the seasons of the year are caused by the 23.5 degree tilt of the Earth’s axis. Because the Earth rotates like a gyroscope, the North Pole points in a fixed position constantly, while the Earth is revolving around the Sun. 

During one half of the year, the Northern Hemisphere has more exposure to the Sun than the Southern Hemisphere, while the reverse is true during the other half of the year. At noontime, the Sun appears high in the sky during Summertime, and when the Sun reaches its maximum elevation, or angle, in the sky, that’s when the Summer Solstice happens.

Summer was a joyous time of the year in prehistoric times for the Aboriginal people who lived in the Northern latitudes. The snow had melted, the ground thawed out, and warm temperatures returned. Flowers were in full bloom, and leaves had returned to the trees. More important, food was easier to find, and crops had been planted and would be harvested for months to come. The Full Moon is June is called the Full Honey Moon. Tradition dictates that this is the best time to harvest honey from the hives.

This time of the year, between the planting and harvesting of crops, is the traditional time for weddings because many ancient peoples believed that the grand union of the goddess and god occurred in early May. Since it was unlucky to compete with the gods, many people delayed their weddings until June. Today, June remains a favorite month for marriage.

Native Americans have constructed many stone structures linked to the Equinoxes and Solstices. Many are still standing today. One of them is called Calendar One. It is a natural amphitheater of about 20 acres in size in Vermont. From a stone enclosure in the center of the bowl, one can see a number of vertical rocks and other markers around the edge of the bowl. “At the Summer Solstice, the Sun rose at the southern peak of the East ridge and set at a notch at the southern end of the West ridge.” The Winter Solstice and both equinoxes were similarly marked.

I’d love to be at Calendar One on the first day of Summer. The start of each of the four seasons carries more significance to this writer than New Year’s Day, which, in essence, is an arbitrary date on the calendar. The start of Summer is just a few days away, and that is reason to celebrate in the Northern Hemisphere.

Paul 

Heat Advisory and "Moderate" Drought Punctuate Hot & Dry June Across Southwestern Connecticut

Despite more than one-half inch of rain during a strong thunderstorm yesterday, southwestern Connecticut remains in a "moderate" drought, according to the United States Drought Monitor Index released Thursday, July 11, 2026.

Prior to yesterday's rainfall, only one-tenth of an inch of rain was recorded this month at the Bridgeport climate station through Wednesday. That's well below the 1.53" normal, based on 30 years of climatology. 

Slightly more than fifteen inches (15.02") of precipitation have been recorded since January 1, which is 4.64" below the 19.66" normal through the period.

A Heat Advisory remains in effect through this evening for high temperatures climbing into the low 90s this afternoon. Thursday's high temperature of 87 degrees at Bridgeport was 11 degrees warmer than the 76 degree normal high temperature for June 11. 

The average temperature this month is 69.1 degrees, which is 2.5 degrees warmer-than-normal. In fact, eight of the first 11 days this month have been warmer-than-normal.

Although this weekend will be hot, the humidity is expected to drop. A frontal boundary will bring some relief to the region Monday with a high temperature in the upper 70s.

Paul

Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Fairfield & New Haven Counties Through 10 p.m. EDT

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Fairfield and New Haven counties until 10 p.m. EDT: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) June 6, 2026 at 5:21 PM

Paul