Weather Affects Mood

How do you feel when the weather turns hot and humid? Tired? Lethargic? Sleepy? What about the heavy rainstorms we've experienced over the past month? Does it affect your mood? The heat, humidity, and seemingly-constant rain may affect you more than you think. If you feel "out of it," you're probably not alone. 

According to the Web site Science Daily, “The positive impact warm, sunny weather can have on mental health and mood are real,” are the findings of a University of Michigan study. “It should not be surprising that weather and seasons affect human behavior, given that humans have evolved with seasonal and weather changes since the dawn of the species.” 

Researchers found that pleasant weather improves mood, memory, broadens our creative ability and our openness to new information. “Being outside in pleasant weather really offers a way to re-set your mindset,” said Matthew Keller, the University of Michigan post-doctoral researcher who led the weather-related psychological study. “We found two important variables: how much time you spend outside and what the season is.” 

Ten mood variables were related to eight weather variables in a multidimensional study on weather according to pubmed.org. Data was collected for 23 male subjects over 11 consecutive days. Mood variables included concentration, depression, sleepiness, optimism, and skepticism. The weather variables included hours of sunshine, precipitation, and temperature. “Humidity, temperature, and hours of sunshine had the greatest effect on mood,” the study found. 

“High levels of humidity lowerered scores on concentration while increasing reports of sleepiness. Humidity was the most significant predictor in regression.” Our humidity was especially high yesterday. Were you feeling tired or having trouble concentrating? 

The study adds that the implications for school and work performance are critical, and it highlights the importance of humidity as a weather variable. I am sure the extremely high humidity and recent rains have played major roles in the way we feel.

Paul

Heavy Rain Christens August & Follows Soggy July

Here are the latest rainfall totals from across southwestern Connecticut as of Monday evening:

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) August 4, 2026 at 2:12 AM

Paul

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.

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— 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.

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— 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