*** Paul Piorek is editor and publisher of Paul's Local Weather Journal for southwestern Connecticut ... Paul is the broadcast meteorologist at WICC 600 AM, 95.9 FM, 107.3 FM, & voiceofct.com ... Paul is a New York Emmy award winner (2007), five-time Emmy nominee (1993, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010), and four-time winner of the Connecticut Associated Press Broadcasters' Association award for Best TV Weathercast (2006, 2008, 2009, 2012) ... The local weather journal is a three-time winner of the Communicator Award of Distinction (2012, 2013, 2026) ... Paul was voted Best Local Television Personality by the readers of Fairfield County Weekly Magazine (2012) ... Paul was inducted into the Housatonic Community College Hall of Fame and received the Distinguished Alumni Award (2012) ... Paul is currently a full-time teacher of Earth Science and Mathematics in Fairfield ... Follow Paul at https://bsky.app/profile/paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social/

Friday, June 12, 2026

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

Saturday, June 6, 2026

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

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Month of May Much Drier-Than-Normal at Bridgeport Climate Station

The Bridgeport climate station recorded 2.60" of precipitation in May, which is nearly one inch (-0.98") below the normal climatological average (3.58"). There were seven days with at least one-tenth of an inch of precipitation.

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) June 2, 2026 at 6:24 PM

The average monthly temperature for May at the Bridgeport climate station was 60.3° F, which is 0.3° warmer-than-normal. The range was 93° (May 20) and 41° (May 1).

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) June 2, 2026 at 6:21 PM

Paul

Friday, May 29, 2026

Blue Moon Happens This Sunday, May 31, at 4:45 a.m. EDT

The second Full Moon of May --- a Blue Moon --- happens this Sunday, May 31, at 4:45 a.m. EDT. It is also a "Micromoon," because it occurs near Apogee, its farthest point from Earth, making the Moon appear slightly smaller and dimmer than usual.

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) May 29, 2026 at 6:59 PM

Paul

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Forecasters Predict a Below-Normal Hurricane Season for the Atlantic Basin This Year.

Forecasters with NOAA’s National Weather Service predict a below-normal hurricane season for the Atlantic basin this year. They are forecasting a 35% chance of a near-normal season, a 10% chance of an above-normal season, and a 55% chance of a below-normal season.

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) May 27, 2026 at 7:46 PM

Paul

Saturday, May 23, 2026

Much-Needed Rain Expected Across Southwestern Connecticut Through Memorial Day Weekend

Approximately one-and-a-half inches of precipitation are expected across southwestern Connecticut through Monday at 8 p.m. EDT.

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) May 23, 2026 at 8:53 PM

Paul