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

Today Marks 57th Anniversary of First Moon Landing and First Human Steps on the Moon

Some dates naturally carry more significance than others. Birthdays and anniversaries come to mind instantly. One such "anniversary" happened 57 years ago today. Those of you old enough to remember Sunday, July 20, 1969, no doubt can recall watching Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong descending the steps of the lunar module’s ladder and setting foot on the Moon for the first time. I was mesmerized by what I saw that night on the black-and-white Zenith television set in our living room.

Apollo 11, the fifth human spaceflight of the Apollo program, launched from the Kennedy Space Center four days earlier. As a young child of 10, watching the late Armstrong walk on the lunar surface was probably the most significant news event of my youth. I can still remember the late Walter Cronkite on CBS television describing the landing, and the bundle of nerves I felt for the Apollo astronauts, Commander Neil Armstrong, Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, and Command Module Pilot Michael Collins.

I was fascinated by the space program in the 1960s. Naturally, I couldn’t wait for the landing of Apollo on the Moon. As I recall, while on the far side of the Moon, the lunar module, called the Eagle, separated from the Command Module, named Columbia. Collins remained alone in Columbia, while Armstrong and Aldrin used Eagle’s descent engine to right themselves and descend to the lunar surface. The wait seemed interminable for this youngster, who couldn’t believe that we would actually see LIVE images from the Moon later that night.

I kept asking questions of my Mom and Dad all day and evening. “What will it look like on television?” “When will the astronauts climb out of the Eagle?” “How are we able to see it if they’re so far away?” They couldn’t answer most of my questions since this had never happened before. I still couldn’t believe what we were about to see. I’m sure it’s what ultimately piqued my interest in astronomy, subsequent space missions, and Science in general. 

Our family gathered in the living room in front of the small TV set with rabbit ears and watched as Cronkite prepared us for the first step on the Moon. Just over six-and-a half hours after Apollo 11 landed on the Moon at 4:17 p.m., we sat in silence and awe as Armstrong made his descent to the Moon’s surface at 10:56 p.m. and spoke his famous words: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Incredibly, well more than half the people living in the United States today weren’t even born when Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. It was arguably the most historic event of the 20th century. I, for one, am glad I saw it LIVE, and I will never forget it for the rest of my life!

Paul

Today Marks 57th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Launch

Fifty-seven years ago today, the launch of the Apollo 11 Saturn V space vehicle took place with astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A.

The launch occurred at 9:32 a.m. EDT. Four days later, Armstrong would become the first human being to set foot on the Moon, and Aldrin soon followed as Collins orbited the Moon.

Let's go back 57 years and watch what happened that day.

  

Paul

Canadian Wildfire Smoke Triggers Air Quality Alert for Fairfield & New Haven Counties

An Air Quality Index of 151 indicates that the air is currently classified as Unhealthy in Bridgeport. At this level, fine particulate matter is elevated, meaning members of sensitive groups may experience adverse health effects, and the general public is at risk of respiratory irritation.

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) July 15, 2026 at 4:13 PM

An Air Quality Alert will be in effect for Fairfield and New Haven counties until Thursday at 12 p.m. EDT: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) July 15, 2026 at 4:06 PM

Paul

Heat Advisory Issued for Fairfield & New Haven Counties

A Heat Advisory will be in effect for Fairfield and New Haven counties from Tuesday at 12 p.m. until Wednesday at 9 p.m. EDT: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) July 13, 2026 at 6:30 AM

Paul