An Unforgettable Year of Weather Comes to a Close

Few would argue that this was one of the most memorable years of weather locally in quite some time. Last Winter featured a seemingless endless stretch of snowstorms which brought 60 inches of snow to southwestern Connecticut. The hottest temperature ever recorded at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford happened in July. Tropical Storm Irene wreaked havoc on the region in late August. And, an unusual October Nor'easter brought record snow and howling winds which caused power outages in some parts of the state for up to two weeks.

What do you think was the biggest weather story of the year? It's difficult to weigh the impact and significance of the each of the events against one another, especially the effects on individuals and families. The 103-degree temperature of Friday, July 22, 2011, was historic since the mercury had never eclipsed 100 degrees at the local climatological station at the Stratford airport. Previously, 100-degree temperatures were reached July 2, 1966, July 5, 1999, August 9, 2001, and August 27, 1948.

Although the average temperature for July (77.6 degrees) was shy of the all-time record of 78.4 degrees in 1984, it was quite a month. One day after the 103-degree reading, the mercury climbed to 96 degrees, Saturday, July 23. All told, there were five days with temperatures above 90 degrees in July, including back-to-back days of 91 and 95 degrees on July 11 and 12, respectively.

Last Winter was one for the ages, to be sure. January, alone, featured three feet of snow, including snowstorms on January 11 and 12 (9.1"), January 21 (4.2"), and the blockbuster of January 26 and 27 (19"), making it the snowiest January on record, breaking the previous record of 26.2 inches set in 1965. The normal snowfall for the month is 8.5 inches. One year earlier, only 7.7 inches of snow fell in January. Take a look at this view from the window of one of our viewers, Margaret in Devon, at 2 o'clock the morning of January 27.

 

Tropical Storm Irene, which hit the region Saturday night, August 27, will long be remembered by residents of southwestern Connecticut for the number of lives it affected. According to Mitch Gross, a spokesman for Connecticut Light and Power, more than 700,000 customers were without power Sunday, easily breaking the previous record of 480,000 following Hurricane Gloria in September of 1985. In fact, Sunday morning, August 28, 98% of Redding and 89% of Weston households were without power.

The shoreline was hit the hardest, especially during the storm surge during the time of high tide late Sunday morning. Several homes collapsed along the beach in Fairfield, and many residents had to be evacuated due to the flooding. There were 35 streets which were under mandatory evacuation. A shelter was established at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, and evacuees were advised to bring extra clothes, medicines, and any paperwork they deem necessary to protect.

Ralph Fato of Norwalk sent the following photos of Cove Island Park in Stamford, where the water level was 15 feet above normal. The beach is actually a quarter-mile away. The center of the storm passed through southwestern Connecticut late Sunday morning, August 28, just about the time of high tide, which was 11:10 a.m. in Bridgeport. To make matters worse, tides were astronomically high due to the new Moon. The beach is actually a quarter-mile away.







Although the storm's effects were felt for quite some time, it could have been much worse. The highest wind gust reported in the region was 63 miles an hour at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford just before daybreak. The highest wind speed was 46 miles an hour, and the average wind speed was 24.9 miles an hour. Fortunately, winds never reached hurricane force, but that certainly is little consequence to the thousands of people who were without power or who suffered damage from Irene.

Rainfall totals ranged from just over three inches to more than a half-foot in Northern Fairfield County. Officially, the airport set a record of 2.50 inches , bringing the two-day storm total to 3.35 inches. That's not far from the monthly average of 3.75 inches. However, August's total rainfall reached 9.57 inches. Here are four more photos from Ralph taken at Cove Island Park.









The Nor'easter of October 29 and 30, 2011, was one for the record books. The unusual early Autumn storm delivered record-breaking October snow and massive power outages across Connecticut. By the time the storm pulled away, over a foot of snow fell across much of Northern Fairfield County, and four inches blanketed Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, making Saturday, October 29, the snowiest October day on record.

Many trees and tree branches came crashing down due to the weight of the heavy, wet snow, the leaves still on the trees, and the gusty winds. As of Monday, October 31, there were more than 760,000 customers of Connecticut Light and Power still in the dark, and 9,000 United Illuminating customers were without power. As a result, many school systems were closed for days.

The snow totals were unbelievable for October. Danbury reported 17 inches of snow, while Ridgefield (15.5") and Shelton (12.8") received over a foot. Locally, Wilton (10.8"), New Canaan (6.0"), Norwalk (5.5"), and Bridgeport (4.0") also had record-breaking snow. Viewer Ralph Fato of Norwalk sent this photo of the Route 7 connector Saturday afternoon, October 29.

The normal average monthly snowfall for October in southwestern Connecticut is just a trace. Prior to the Nor'easter, the only measured snow in October fell on Sunday, October 4, 1987, when a half-inch coated the region. That's what makes this latest snowstorm historic. Take a look at this photo of an ice- and snow-covered lake along Route 7 Sunday afternoon.

In the wake of the storm, skies cleared, the wind abated, and the temperature dropped like a rock. The mercury fell into the 20s inland and lower 30s along the shoreline early Monday, October 31, causing icy roads and bitter cold homes for those without power. Take a look at this picture of a downed tree and snow-covered Route 7 in Danbury. Was this really in October?

This year was one for the record books. I'd like to know what you think was the biggest weather story of the year. I believe the October Nor'easter, due to the massive power outages which lasted nearly two weeks in parts of Connecticut, was the most unforgettable weather event of 2011. Here's hoping you and your family have a happy, healthy, and safe 2012.

Happy New Year!

Paul

Powerful Blizzard One Year Ago Christened Start of Unforgettable Winter of 2010-2011

A powerful blizzard, which delivered about a foot-and-a-half of snow, 60 mile-per-hour wind gusts, and power outages throughout southwestern Connecticut, struck the region one year ago today, triggering an unforgettable stretch of snowstorms which brought 60 inches of snow during the Winter of 2010-2011. The timing of the blizzard, which affected thousands of holiday travelers, and the magnitude of the storm made it one for the ages.

I've been working the early-morning shift at News 12 Connecticut since June of 1995, and in those 15-plus years, there have been only a handful of truly memorable storms. However, this was the first time I wasn't able to drive to work on my own. One of my neighbors agreed to drive me to the studio in his snowplow during the height of the blizzard early Monday morning. I'm glad he did. To be sure, my Chevy Cavalier wouldn't have made the journey from Fairfield to Norwalk.

Officially, 12 inches of snow fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford from Sunday morning through early Monday morning. The eight inches of snow which fell December 26 marked the third snowiest December day on record in southwestern Connecticut. Only December 19, 1948 (16 inches), and December 30, 2000 (10 inches), brought more snow in one day. Here are some impressive snow totals from last year's post-Christmas storm:

• Wilton: 18"
• New Canaan: 17.5"
• Greenwich: 17"
• Stratford: 16"
• Norwalk: 16"
• Westport: 14.8"
• Darien: 14.5"
• Milford: 14"
• Bridgeport: 12"

The biting wind was brutal if you were outside for any length of time. Sustained winds of 25 to 35 miles an hour were recorded late Sunday night and Monday, December 27, and wind gusts reached 60 miles at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford (9:21 p.m.) and Greenwich (10:00 p.m.) late Sunday evening. I was surprised that there weren't more widespread power outages.

Contrast that scenario with today and this December. In fact, we have yet to see a flake of snow this month. There have only been two other years (1877 and 2006) without any snow since weather records were first kept in New York City in 1869. This may very well be just the third December in the last 142 years without any snow at all. Quite frankly, I don't mind at all.

Paul

Recaling the Snowiest Christmas Eve in My Lifetime

Is this really the first day of Winter? It's hard to believe with temperatures in the lower 50s early this morning. The normal high temperature this time of the year is in the upper 30s, so it is unseasonably mild. In fact, the average temperature this month is 41.5 degrees, which is 4.7 degrees above normal and slightly milder than the warmest December on record (41.4 degrees in 2001). It's pretty safe to say that we won't be having a White Christmas this year.

Christmas Eve is just two days away, and I can't help but recall the snowiest and most memorable Night Before Christmas in my lifetime. Forty-five years ago, over a half-foot of snow blanketed southwestern Connecticut on Saturday, December 24, 1966, resulting in treacherous roads, numerous accidents, and cancelled church services. Officially, 6.9 inches of snow fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, which still stands as a record nearly a half-century later.

According to an article which appeared in the Bridgeport Sunday Post the following day, the "weather plight was part of an old-fashioned Nor'easter, which brought icy cold, high winds, and a blanket of snow to most of the East (coast)." Gale force winds hammered the region through most of the storm. Take a look at the front page newspaper article from December 25, 1966:




I recall my Dad attempting to drive my family, including my Mom, brother, sister, and me to my grandmother's home in Bridgeport for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner. However, after sliding and skidding several times, our car got stuck on a hill in Fairfield. After several minutes, my Dad was able to gain some traction, and we decided to head home and avoid any more perils on the roads.

Although it's been 45 years since that unforgettable Christmas Eve, I remember it like it was yesterday. Do you have any memories of that storm from 1966? If so, I'd like to hear from you. Our weather won't be quite as memorable this year, but at least we won't have any worries if our travels take us to grandma's house for Christmas Eve.

Paul

Celebrate the Winter Solstice & Yuletime

The Winter Solstice happens at 12:30 a.m. EST tomorrow. The Sun's rays will be directly over the Tropic of Capricorn and at their lowest point in the sky in the Northern Hemisphere. Theoretically, it is the "shortest" day of the year. Enjoy this video celebrating the Winter Solstice.

Paul

The First Snowstorm of 2009-2010 Season Happened Two Years Ago Today

The first major snowstorm of 2009-2010 blasted southwestern Connecticut two years ago today, with some local communities receiving close to a foot of snow. Fortunately, the storm arrived late Saturday evening, December 19, 2009, giving most people ample time to prepare well in advance. The highest snow totals were recorded across southeastern Connecticut, while parts of Litchfield County saw nothing more than a trace of snow.

Here is a look at snowfall totals from across the region from December 19 and 20, 2009:

• Darien: 10.5"
• New Canaan: 10.3"
• Milford: 10"
• Bridgeport: 9"
• Fairfield: 9"
• Norwalk: 8"
• Woodbridge: 7.5"

Officially, at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, six inches of snow fell Saturday, and 3.2 inches accumulated Sunday, December 20, 2009, for a total of 9.2 inches. The snow happened one day before the Winter Solstice. Over a foot of snow (13.4") was recorded at the airport in December 2009, including two inches on December 9, and just over two inches on New Year's Eve day.



The normal average snowfall for December is 3.6 inches, based on 40 years of averages, or climatology. The snowiest December day on record in southwestern Connecticut happened December 19, 1948, when 16 inches blanketed the region. You may recall that last year, a foot of snow fell from December 26 through December 27, triggering one of the snowiest periods in recent memory. You may also recall the Winter storm of December 30, 2000, when ten inches fell.

The weather computer models are hinting at a Winter storm developing late Christmas Eve Day and continuing into Christmas morning. However, before the holiday weekend, some rain is likely Wednesday, and showers are expected Friday as the holiday season gets into high gear. Are you dreaming of a White Christmas? I know I am.

Paul

Winter Solstice Just Six Days Away

Is it really mid-December? Temperatures were in the lower 50s at 3 o'clock this morning when I arrived at the weathercenter. That's a good ten degrees above the normal high temperature for the day. In fact, this month has been much warmer than normal. The average temperature thus far this month is 42.4 degrees, which is a whopping 4.5 degrees above normal. We're on pace to break the mark for the warmest December on record, which was 41.4 degrees in 2001.

Believe it or not, we're less than a week away from the start of Winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Winter officially arrives next Thursday, December 22, at 12:30 a.m. Whenever I visit a school to conduct my Weatherkids program, many schoolchildren ask me why the start of a new season doesn't begin at midnight on a certain date, much like the beginning of a new year. The answer has to do with the Earth, the tilt on its axis, and its revolution around the Sun.

I've always maintained that the start of a new season is more of an "event" than watching the ball drop in Times Square on New Year's Eve. That's because New Year's Day is a "man-made" holiday which can arbitrarily occur at any time during a calendar year. An equinox or a solstice, however, marks a precise time when the Sun's rays strike a particular point on the face of the Earth. I try to observe the arrival of a new season, and next Thursday will be no exception.

As the Earth travels around the Sun in its orbit, the North-South position of the Sun changes over the course of the year due to the changing orientation of the Earth's tilt with respect to the Sun. The dates of maximum tilt of the Earth's equator correspond to the Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice, and the dates of zero tilt correspond to the Vernal Equinox and Autumnal Equinox.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice is day of the year when the Sun is farthest South. However, in the Southern Hemisphere, the Winter and Summer Solstices are the opposite, so that the Winter Solstice occurs on the first day of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere. The Sun's direct rays will be over the Tropic of Capricorn next Thursday morning.

The Winter Solstice also marks the "shortest day" of the year in terms of daylight. The length of time elapsed between Sunrise and Sunset at the Winter Solstice is at a minimum for the year. Of course, Daylight Saving Time means that the last Sunday in March has 23 hours and the first Sunday in November has 25 hours, but it does not correspond to the actual number of daylight hours.

Finally, the shadows cast by the Sun will be at their longest next weekend, since the Sun is at its lowest point in the sky. The actual times of Sunrise and Sunset in southwestern Connecticut for the Solstice are 7:16 a.m. and 4:27 p.m., respectively. Consider that on the first day of Summer in late June, the Sun rises at 5:19 a.m. and sets at 8:30 p.m. So, next Thursday's "length of day" is only nine hours and 11 minutes as opposed to 15 hours and 11 minutes exactly a half-year later.

So, as we prepare to welcome Winter, also realize that next Thursday marks a turning point. The days will gradually begin to get longer from this point forward until the end of June. Things can only get brighter from here on out. This weekend, though, it will begin to feel more like Winter. Daytime temperatures will struggle to reach the upper 30s and lower 40s under partly sunny skies. On the bright side, though, it will mark the seventh straight dry weekend across southwestern Connecticut.

Paul

The Odds of a White Christmas

This morning featured some of the coldest temperatures of the season. The mercury dropped into the teens inland and low-to-mid 20s just before daybreak, and a coating of frost caused car windshields, lawns, and rooftops to glisten from the light of the waning Moon.

Christmas is less than two weeks away, and many people have asked me about the odds of seeing a "White Christmas." Other than the historic Nor'easter the last weekend of October, we haven't seen any snow the last two months. Although showers are expected this Thursday and an offshore storm should stay far enough away early this weekend, there aren't any snowstorms in sight. I am watching the potential for a possible Wintry mix next Tuesday, however.

So, what are the chances of snow by Christmas? Here in southwestern Connecticut, weather records have been kept for a long time. Our climatology is based on record-keeping over a 40-year period. Based on history, shoreline communities such as Stamford, Darien, Stratford, and Milford have a 30% chance of seeing at least one inch of snow on the ground by December 25. There's a 10% chance of at least five inches of snow on the ground by then. However, we have a zero percent probability of having ten inches of snow or more on our front lawns by Christmas morning.



Inland, the odds are more favorable. People living north of the Merritt or Wilbur Cross parkways have a 57% chance of at least one inch of snow for Christmas. The odds are slightly lower than one-in-four (23%) for five inches of snow, and quite slim (3%) for at least ten inches of snow. However, residents in Wilton, Redding, Easton, and Woodbridge have a much better opportunity of seeing snow on the ground than their shoreline counterparts.

As far as the rest of New England is concerned, the chance of a white Christmas gets even better. Northern Connecticut and southern Massachusetts have about a 40 to 60% chance of at least one inch of snow; central New England's chances improve to 60 to 80 percent; and northern New England (80 to 100%) is virtualy assured of having a White Christmas.

One of the more memorable snowstorms which occured in late December was the Christmas Eve storm of 1966. We received over a half-foot of snow (6.9"), making roads quite slippery and travel very difficult. I distinctly remember my family on our way to visit my grandmother in the snow, but my parents deciding the drive wasn't worth the risk. We turned around and headed for home, but the car slid several times on the snowy roadways.

You may recall the snowstorm which delivered more than nine inches of snow to southwestern Connecticut the weekend of December 19 and 20, 2009. The snow began late Saturday evening, and six inches had accumulated by midnight. The snow tapered off early Sunday morning, but not before another 3.2 inches caused headaches for holiday shoppers the last weekend before Christmas.

Another recent snow occurred on Christmas Day, 2002. Some light snow happened early that morning, but a steadier and heavier snow developed by later in the afternoon and evening. The snow totals were quite impressive locally. Darien received 10 inches of snow by the time the storm exited the following day. Redding (9.5"), New Canaan (9.2"), Norwalk (7.0"), Greenwich (7.0"), and Westport (6.5") each saw at least a half-foot of snow!

On the flip side, I'm sure you recall December of  2006. The afternoon high temperatures from December 23 to 26 reached 58, 52, 44, and 50 degrees respectively, well above the 38-degree normal high. Over an inch of rain fell December 23 (1.15") and over a quarter-inch (0.28") was recorded on Christmas Day. We were left dreaming of snow for quite some time.

Paul

Full "Long Night" Moon Happens Tonight

Mostly clear skies, a light wind, and high pressure overhead gave us one of the coldest mornings of the season. The nearly Full Moon illuminated the frost on rooftops, lawns, and car windshields this morning as I made my way to work just after 3 o'clock. The Full Moon happens tomorrow morning at 10:36 EDT. The December Full Moon is known by a variety of names, including the Full Cold Moon and the Full Long Night Moon.

Why is it called the Full Long Night Moon? During December, the Winter cold fastens its grip in the Northern Hemisphere, and nights are at their longest and darkest. The term Long Night Moon is also an appropriate name because the early Winter night is long, and because the Moon is above the horizon for a long time. The midwinter full Moon has a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite a low Sun.

In fact, the December Full Moon has been referred to as the Oak Moon, the Frost Moon, the Cold Moon, and the Moon Before Yule. No matter what the name, the Full Moon in December is directly opposite the Sun; therefore it is out for a long time. Since the Moon appears to follow nearly the same path as the Sun in the sky, the amount of time the Moon spends above the horizon varies as it orbits the Earth. The Moon is Full when it is opposite the Sun in the sky, so a Full Moon rises roughly at sunset and sets at sunrise. Therefore, we only see Full Moons at night.

Six months from now, on the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year when the Sun spends the most time above the horizon, the Full Moon spends the least amount of time above the horizon. On the other hand, on the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year when the Sun spends the least time above the horizon, the Full Moon spends the most amount of time above the horizon. The time spent above the horizon each night for the Full Moon varies throughout the year about as much as the length of the day.

More clouds are expected tonight, however, as a dry cold front approaches the region. The clouds will most likely obscure the viewing of the Full Moon. Temperatures will drop into the low-to-mid 30s by daybreak. Tomorrow will feature clouds giving way to sunshine, but it will be windy and colder with a high in the low 40s. This will be the sixth straight dry weekend across southwestern Connecticut. Now that's something to howl about!

Paul

Roger Ludlowe Middle School's Sixth-Graders the Featured Weatherkids of the Week

I visited with the sixth-grade Science classes at Roger Ludlowe Middle School in Fairfield yesterday, Wednesday, November 30. They were the featured Weatherkids this week.



Paul

Turning the Weather Page to December

The start of the Winter season is officially three weeks away, yet you'd never know it by the unseasonably warm temperatures of late. Yesterday's high of 65 degrees tied the record for the date and helped push the average monthly temperature to 49.8 degrees. That's more than four degrees above normal and less than a degree shy of the all-time warmest November on record (50.5 degrees in 1975). Although today is off to a mild start, cooler air will gradually arrive over the next few days.

Nonetheless, the Winter Solstice occurs at 12:30 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, Thursday, December 22, technically making it the “shortest” day of the year in terms of sunlight. Sunrise happens at 7:15, while the Sun sets at 4:26 on that day. Gradually, the length of daylight begins to increase by the last week of the month.
As one would expect, the average temperatures in December start taking a nosedive based on 40 years of averages, or what we call climatology.

The average high temperature drops from 46 degrees on the first of the month to just 37 degrees on New Year’s Eve. The average daily temperature falls from 39 degrees to 30 degrees over the next 31 days. The record high temperature for the month is 76 degrees, established on December 7, 1998. The coldest days ever for December happened on Christmas Day, December 25, 1980, and the next day, December 26, 1980, when an all-time low of -4 was recorded at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford. The mercury also fell to -1 on December 30, 1962.

I'm sure you haven't forgotten the post-Christmas blizzard one year ago, which "snowballed" into one of the most memorable Winters in recent memory. Heavy snow fell from Sunday, December 26, through Monday, December 27, kickstarting a nearly two-month stormy pattern which led to 60 inches of snow. Although that's double the norm, it fell short of the all-time snowiest Winter on record in southwestern Connecticut, when 78 inches fell during the 1995-96 season.

Officially, 12 inches of snow fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford from Sunday morning through early Monday morning.The eight inches of snow which fell Sunday marked the third snowiest December day on record in southwestern Connecticut. Only December 19, 1948 (16 inches), and December 30, 2000 (10 inches) brought more snow in one day. Here are some impressive snow totals from across southwestern Connecticut:

• Wilton: 18"
• New Canaan: 17.5"
• Greenwich: 17"
• Stratford: 16"
• Norwalk: 16"
• Westport: 14.8"
• Darien: 14.5"
• Milford: 14"
• Bridgeport: 12"

The snowiest day on record next month happened on December 9, 1948, when sixteen inches fell across southwestern Connecticut. Ten inches of snow fell on December 30, 2000. One of the more memorable snowstorms this month occurred on Christmas Eve, 1966, when seven inches fell. You may remember that 3.5 inches of snow fell on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2008.

As far as precipitation is concerned, the average for the month is 3.47 inches. The wettest December on record happened in 1972 when 7.87 inches fell at the airport. Heavy rain plagued southwestern Connecticut  December 11 and 12, 2008, when 3.54 inches of rain fell over those two days, which is more than the average for the entire month. The driest December was in 1955 when only 0.33 inches filled the gauge. The average monthly snowfall is about 3.6 inches.

There is a "bright" side to the month. Although the time of sunrise gets later through the month, the Sun sets later and later, too. Today, for example, the Sun sets at 4:25, which is only one minute after the earliest Sunset in mid December. However, by New Year’s Eve, the Sun will fall below the horizon at 4:33. So, we’ll gain nearly 10 minutes of daylight in the evening through the end of the month.

The full Cold Moon, otherwise known as the full Long Nights Moon, happens on the first day of Winter, Saturday, December 10, at 8:36 a.m. It is sometimes called the “Moon before Yule.” The term Long Night Moon is a doubly appropriate name because the midwinter night is indeed long, and the Moon is above the horizon a long time. The midwinter full Moon takes a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite to the low Sun.

Happy December!

Paul

Active Atlantic Hurricane Season Comes to a Close Tomorrow

Aside from the historic October Nor'easter which caused massive power outages across Connecticut, Tropical Storm Irene was the most memorable weather event this year. Irene will long be remembered by residents of southwestern Connecticut for the number of lives it affected. More than 700,000 customers were without power after the storm which, at the time, easily broke the previous record of 480,000 following Hurricane Gloria in September of 1985.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially ends tomorrow, with a total of 19 tropical storms, seven of which became hurricanes, including three major hurricanes. The level of activity actually matched NOAA’s predictions and continues the trend of active hurricane seasons that began in 1995. Irene was the lone hurricane to hit the United States in 2011, and the first one to do so since Ike struck southeast Texas in 2008. Irene was also the most significant tropical cyclone to strike the Northeast since Hurricane Bob in 1991.

The 19 tropical storms this season represent the third-highest total (tied with 1887, 1995, and 2010) since records began in 1851 and is well above the average of 11. However, the number of hurricanes and major hurricanes is only slightly above the average of six and two, respectively. This year’s totals include a post-storm upgrade of Tropical Storm Nate to hurricane status, and the addition of a short-lived, unnamed tropical storm that formed in early September between Bermuda and Nova Scotia.

As for Irene, the southwestern Connecticut shoreline was hit the hardest, especially during the storm surge during the time of astronomical high tide at the time of the storm's arrival. Several homes collapsed along the beach in Fairfield, and many residents had to be evacuated due to the flooding. There were 35 streets which were under mandatory evacuation. Ralph Fato of Norwalk sent the following photos of Cove Island Park in Stamford, where the water level was 15 feet above normal. The beach is actually a quarter-mile away.





The highest wind gusts reported in the region was 63 miles an hour at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford several hours before the storm hit. The highest wind speed was 46 miles an hour, and the average wind speed was 24.9 miles an hour. Fortunately, winds never reached hurricane force, but that certainly was little consequence to the thousands of people who were left in the dark. Rainfall totals ranged from just over three inches to more than a half-foot in Northern Fairfield County. Here are a few more photos from Ralph.

The combination of near-record sea surface temperatures in the region of the Atlantic Ocean where storms form, but unusually dry, stable air over the ocean helped produce a large number of named storms, but comparatively few hurricanes. Seasonal forecasters, such as Phil Klotzbach of Colorado State University, were very close on their predictions for named storms. Klotzbach called for 17, but he predicted nine hurricanes for 2011.

Now, our attention turns to the Winter season. I'm sticking with a prediction of a somewhat "normal" Winter, which means about 30 inches of snow and slightly colder-than-normal temperatures. Last year, 60 inches of snow fell across southwestern Connecticut, double the norm, but less than the record 78-inch snowfall during the Winter of 1995-96. What's your prediction?

Paul

Snowiest November Day on Record Happened 23 Years Ago Today on Thanksgiving Day

Twenty-two years later, the Thanksgiving Day snowstorm of November 23, 1989, still remains the snowiest November day on record in southwestern Connecticut. The storm, which began Wednesday evening, November 22, delivered over a half-foot of snow in less than 24 hours, while creating havoc on area roadways and major airports in the Northeast. Officially, 6.6 inches of snow fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford.

The first Thanksgiving Day snowstorm in 51 years postponed traditional high school football rivalry games and even prevented Snoopy and Bugs Bunny from making it to the big parade in Manhattan. Snow fell from Virginia to New England, breaking records in Boston, New Jersey, and New York City. By the time it dwindled to a flurry late Thursday, November 23, the storm delivered 4.7 inches of snow to Central Park.



The unforgettable storm was the seventh measurable Thanksgiving Day snow recorded in New York City since the National Weather Service started keeping records more than 120 years earlier. The last white Thanksgiving in the city was in 1938, when 3.9 inches of snow fell. In Newark, nearly six inches of snow fell in less than 24 hours, breaking the Thanksgiving record of four inches set in 1938.

The New York City police department said there were about 1.8 million spectators and marchers at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. They described it as a light to medium turnout. Strong gusts in the early morning tore at the seams and patches of the giant Snoopy and Bugs Bunny helium balloons, puncturing Snoopy's nose and tearing a hole in his comrade's side, a Macy's parade official, said.

Boston experienced the heaviest Thanksgiving Day snow in 65 years, and in southern New England, three to eight inches were recorded. Long Island was the hardest hit, in particular Northport and Centerport, where five to seven inches fell. In Brooklyn and New Jersey, up to five inches were reported. There were no record lows in temperature, however.

What do I most remember about the snowstorm? I just began working as the evening weather anchor at News 12 Connecticut two months earlier, and the snow caught just about everybody by surprise. Although there was some snow in the forecast, I distinctly remember telling the viewers that it shouldn't amount to much, and travel shouldn't be adversely affected. Boy, was I ever wrong!

Paul

Thanksgiving Day Forecast Calls for Sunshine and Seasonably Cool Temperatures

Hello.

Although a frontal system will bring steady rain to southwestern Connecticut late tomorrow through midday Wednesday, Thanksgiving Day is shaping up to be sunny, breezy, and seasonably cool with a high temperature close to 50 degrees. This will be the third dry Thanksgiving Day in the last four years. Light rain fell last Thanksgiving Day, bringing four-hundredths of an inch of precipitation to the region.

Obviously, with the date of Thanksgiving fluctuating from year to year, the weather can be very different from one year to the next. We've experienced a record-breaking rainstorm, record-setting snowstorm, unseasonably mild temperatures, and strong, gusty winds over the last 25 years on Thanksgiving Day. However, the two most memorable storms happened in 2006 and 1989.

The most memorable Thanksgiving Day over the last 25 years occurred on November 23, 1989. That's when over a half-foot of snow fell across southwestern Connecticut, marking the snowiest Thanksgiving on record in these parts. In fact, the snow began falling the night before, creating a nightmare at airports, bus depots, and roadways on the heaviest travel day of the year.

Officially, 6.2 inches of snow fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport. Coupled with the nearly half-inch that fell the night before, just about seven inches of snow blanketed the region. The Thanksgiving snow of 19 years ago also marked the snowiest day on record in November. Remember, the average snowfall for the entire month based on 40 years of climatology is less than an inch (0.7"). 

Seventeen years later to the exact day, nearly two inches of rain (1.84") fell during Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2006, with most of it coming during the mid-to-late morning hours. That's over half the normal average rain for the entire month. I was the emcee at Fairfield Warde High School's halftime ceremony during the Mustangs' football game against arch-rival Fairfield Ludlowe. The gala event included the field dedication ceremony and 50th anniversary celebration of the opening of the school.

If you're counting, 11 of the last 23 Thanksgivings have produced measured rain, including a streak of four in a row from 2004 through 2007. The longest dry stretch was four years, from 2000 through 2003. Nearly an inch of rain fell on Thanksgiving Day 1998, and just about a half-inch was recorded the following year in 1999. Just a trace of rain two years ago, November 26, 2009.

In fact, over the last 50 years, the numbers are strikingly similar. Measured rain has been recorded 24 times on Thanksgiving Day, or just about 50 percent of the time. As for the warmest Thanksgiving Day in recent memory, the mercury climbed to 69 degrees at Central Park in New York City on November 29, 1990, establishing a record high for the date. The coldest Thanksgiving morning in the last 20 years happened on November 28, 1996, when the temperature fell to 23 degrees.

Paul

Autumn Weekend Winning Streak Continues

Aside from the historic Nor'easter the weekend of October 29 and 30, we've been lucky with our weekend weather over the last two months. In fact, this weekend will be the third consecutive dry weekend and sixth in the last seven weeks. The streak stretches back to the first weekend in October when nearly a half-inch of rain fell October 1 and 2.

A cold front pushed through the region late yesterday, delivering just three-hundredths of an inch of rain, but paving the way for dry air today through the weekend. Thus far this month, we've received exactly three quarters of an inch of rain, which is well below the 1.82" normal. There have been only two days with measured rain this month. However, for the year, over four feet (51.73") of liquid precipitation has fallen, more than a foot above the 37.84" normal.

A closer look at our weather record book reveals that our weekend good fortune extends to the beginning of September. In fact, three of the four weekends that month were dry, and just one-hundredth of an inch of rain fell during the last weekend of the month. That means eight of the last 11 weekends --- or 73 percent --- have been dry. That's a pretty good average.

On the flip side, August weekends were anything but dry. Believe it or not, seven-and-a-half inches of rain fell just on the weekends that month, punctuated by Tropical Storm Irene's deluge, which produced 3.35" of rain on August 27 and 28. Every weekend in August was wet, including the weekend of August 13 and 14 when 2.75" of rain fell in southwestern Connecticut.

This weekend will be ideal for any outdoor activities you may have planned. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny and milder with a high temperature in the lower 50s. Sunday will be partly sunny and warmer with a high in the upper 50s to close to 60 degrees. Some showers are expected by the middle of next week, but we are closely watching the potential for a coastal storm by Thanksgiving. For now, though, let's enjoy the beautiful New England Autumn weather.

Paul

Feeling SAD About the Return of Standard Time

After 16-and-a-half years of working the early-morning shift, I suppose I’ve gotten used to getting up and driving to work in the dark. However, I have an especially difficult time with the Sun setting so early in the afternoon. It seems that there is very little time to do anything outside before it gets dark. In fact, one of the late buses from our neighborhood school arrived just before 5 o’clock last night when it was completely dark out. I don’t like it.

Those who work the 9-to-5 shift are coming home in the dark now. Sunset this afternoon is at 4:33. And, it only gets earlier over the month. By the end of the month, Sunset is at 4:24. The earliest time the Sun sets at our latitude is 4:23 in early December. That is a striking contrast to late June, when the latest Sunset in southwestern Connecticut happens at 8:30.

Psychologically, the darker afternoons and evenings affect many people. You’ve no doubt heard about Seasonal Affective Disorder. According to the National Mental Health Association, some people suffer from symptoms of depression during the Winter months, with those symptoms subsiding during the Spring and Summer. This may be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a mood disorder associated with depression episodes and related to seasonal variations of light.

How does SAD affect people? People with the disorder frequently experience the following:

• Sleep problems – oversleeping but not refreshed, cannot get out of bed, needing a nap in the afternoon
• Overeating – carbohydrate craving leading to weight gain
• Depression, despair, misery, guilt, anxiety – normal tasks become frustratingly difficult
• Family / social problems – avoiding company, irritability, loss of libido, loss of feeling
• Lethargy – too tired to cope, everything an effort
• Physical symptoms – often joint pain or stomach problems, lowered resistance to infection
• Behavioral problems – especially in young people

Melatonin, a sleep-related hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain, has been linked to SAD. This hormone, which may cause symptoms of depression, is produced at increased levels in the dark. Therefore, when the days are shorter and darker the production of this hormone increases.

Phototherapy or bright light therapy has been shown to suppress the brain’s secretion of melatonin. Although, there have been no research findings to definitely link this therapy with an antidepressant effect, many people respond to this treatment.

I admit, the early darkness always shocks me in early November. Remember, it was just over two months ago we were still enjoying Summer and relatively brighter evenings. The Sun set at 7:25 on the first day of September. Seemingly, in the blink of an eye, we’re just about five from the first day of Winter. Yeah, it’s a bummer, to be sure.

Personally, the only positive about the longer nights is the relative ease of falling asleep. I actually feel as though I should be going to bed at 8:30, even though it’s an early time by most people’s standards. During the Summer, it’s virtually impossible to fall asleep when the Sun is still shining, my son is playing, and I hear people laughing and talking outside. I actually embrace the darker evenings for that reason alone. After all, the 2 o’clock alarm is not a “friend,” no matter the time of the year.

So, if you don’t enjoy the shorter days and longer nights, we have about a month before the length of daylight begins to increase once again. The first day of Winter is technically “the shortest day of the year.” Before you know it, the evenings will start getting a little brighter once more.

It can’t get here fast enough!

Paul

Recalling the Wettest November on Record

A storm offshore yesterday stalled an approaching cold front long enough to keep us from getting any appreciable rain. Only one-hundredth of an inch of rain was recorded at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford yesterday, which is the only measured rain we've received thus far this month. It looks like the next three days will be dry, although we can expect a gusty wind today, tonight, and tomorrow.

However, 39 years ago today, the weather picture was quite different across southwestern Connecticut. Residents were recovering after a drenching rain and wind storm. Winds gusted to 67 miles-an-hour and over three inches of rain fell across the region, causing broken windows, downed trees, power outages, and significant property damage. It was the first of two significant rainstorms within a week during the wettest November on record.

Nearly a foot of rain (10.22") fell during November of 1972, establishing an all-time record for the month. Consider that the normal average rain for the entire month is 3.65 inches. This November, by contrast, nine of the first 10 days were completely dry. The November 8, 1972 storm delivered 3.04 inches of rain. Just six days later, November 14, nearly three more inches (2.84") soaked the area.

According to the Thursday, November 9, 1972 edition of The Bridgeport Post, "The full force of the coastal storm struck between 2 and 4 o'clock yesterday, slowing traffic on the Connecticut Turnpike and the Merritt Parkway, as the wind-driven rain cut visibility sharply. Public Works Department crews in Bridgeport and across the county were kept busy throughout the afternoon and evening cleaning up fallen tree limbs and branches."



The report stated that the worst electrical interruptions occurred in Norwalk and New Canaan, where 2,600 customers of the Connecticut Light and Power Company were without electricity for varying amounts of time yesterday afternoon and last night. The United Illuminating Company reported a large number of small power failures, resulting from wind gusts, but no major power interruption.

According to the newspaper account, in Milford, a wind gust sent a beach umbrella high in the air and smashed it down on a police patrol car at 2:30 p.m. at Yale Avenue and Easy Street. The policeman said he was unable to avoid the umbrella. It damaged the patrol car's searchlight and left fender, and a moment later struck a parked car anb flew off. Smashed display windows were plentiful as wind gusts reached gale level. One gust of wind peeled off a 30-foot section of a new roof on the Pleasure Beach ballroom.



This November is quite different from the soaker we experienced back in 1972. The next threat of showers will happen next Monday, and more showers are possible by the middle of next week. Put away the umbrella for now, but make sure to hang onto your hat. The holiday weekend is starting on a sunny and windy note.

Paul

Full Beaver Moon Brightens October Night Sky

Did you happen to see the Moon last night? It was nearly full and brightened the lengthening October night. And, did you see the bright star located next to it? Well, that wasn't a star, but the king of the planets, Jupiter. Now that the nights are growing longer, the Moon is climbing higher in the sky during the Autumn and Winter months. If you're wondering, the Full Beaver Moon will happen at 2:16 p.m. EST tomorrow afternoon.

November's Full Moon is so named because this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze to ensure a supply of warm Winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Full Beaver Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now actively preparing for Winter. It is sometimes also referred to as the Frosty Moon.

During the late 1800s, beavers were almost hunted to extinction by the white trappers and traders, because the beaver pelt became a very fashionable wardrobe accessory, especially for men's top hats in Europe and in New England. Since that time they have greatly increased in number and in the amount of damage that they cause during the building of their dams and dens.

Are you aware that a single beaver may chew down hundreds of trees every year as he continuously builds and repairs his lodges and dams? The beavers do provide habitat for other animals such as ducks and otters, but they can also cause unexpected large-scale floods.

 

Over ten years ago in the Washington, D.C. tidal basin, where many of the famous ornamental cherry trees bloom drawing tourists from all over the world, a family of beavers moved into the "luxurious digs." The beavers were noticed as soon as they began downing cherry trees to build their lodges. The National Park Service Rangers quickly set live humane traps and moved the family of pesky beavers to another area where the trees were not as famous or rare.

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.

As far as our weather goes, another sunny and mild day is ahead with daytime high temperatures in the low-to-mid 60s. Some showers are expected tomorrow, followed by clearing skies and windy conditions Friday. The weekend will be sunny and cool with highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s and 40s.

Paul

Snow & Cold Affected Region One Year Ago Today

The first snowfall of the season affected much of southwestern Connecticut one year ago this morning, creating hazardous driving conditions during the early commute to work and school. A strong storm system in the Atlantic Ocean moved from East-to-West, bringing gusty winds and cold temperatures when the precipitation started around daybreak. Morning lows dipped into the 30s even along the shoreline.

The wind began howling as the storm slowly approached in the early hours of the morning, and it continued through the day. There was a Wind Advisory gusts over 40 miles an hour. Photographer Lori Golias took several photos from Route 127 on the Bridgeport/Trumbull line. She reported snow and sleet at her home.

One of our receptionists, who lives in Weston, reported nearly an inch of snow on the hillier terrain. She said several drivers experienced some difficulty negotiating hills and curves in the snow and the wind. The storm, which was originally forecast to stay offshore and not directly impact the region, began "backing up" the day before, creating the mess on area roadways.

The wintry weather occured 57 years to the day of one of the earliest snowstorms on record in southwestern Connecticut. Nearly a half-foot (5.4") of snow fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford on Friday, November 6 (3.4") and Saturday, November 7 (2.0"), 1953.

Our weather will be anything but Wintry on this Election Day. Today will be mostly sunny and milder with a high temperature in the low-to-mid 60s. Tonight will be partly cloudy with patchy fog and a low in the 40s. Tomorrow will feature a mix of sun and clouds with highs in the 60s once again. Get out and vote.

Paul

Historic Autumn Storm Highlighted October Weather

The effects of this past weekend's historic October Nor'easter are still being felt by thousands of people without electricity today. Record snowfall caused heavy branches and small trees to come crashing down. More than a foot of snow fell in parts of Northern Fairfield County, while Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford received four inches of snow, a record for October 29 and the entire month. Here's a picture of Southport Harbor last Saturday.

Last month was warmer than normal. The average daily temperature was 57.1 degrees, which is exactly two degrees warmer than normal. The mercury climbed to an unseasonably warm 85 degrees on October 10 and fell below freezing only once all month. The average daily temperature was at or above normal for 19 consecutive days from October 8 through October 26. The average temperature was 13 degrees above normal October 10 and 11 degrees above normal October 11, 14, and 20.

October was also wetter than normal, continuing the theme for the year. Nearly four inches (3.96") of liquid precipitation fell last month, which is about a third of an inch (0.32") above normal. There were 10 days which featured measured precipitation, including each of the first three days of the month. Well over an inch (1.25") of precipitation fell during the Nor'easter, which was the wettest day of the month.

The record snowfall punctuated the month. Consider the normal average snowfall for October is just a trace, and it was quite surprising to see four inches of snow along the immediate shoreline before Halloween. The only other day with measured snow on record in southwestern Connecticut happened Sunday, October 4, 1987, when just a half-inch fell. Even more surprising was the heavy snow in Northern Fairfield County. It was historic, to say the least.

November is off to a much quieter start, thankfully. Other than an Air Quality Alert this afternoon due to the burning wood and running generators, our weather looks fairly quiet through the middle of next week. A cold front will march through the region tonight, producing mostly cloudy skies, but clouds lift for sunshine later tomorrow morning. Friday will become sunny and windy with a high in the mid 50s. The weekend looks sunny and cool.

Paul

Taking a Look at November by the Numbers

Hello.
Now that Halloween and a historic Autumn Nor'easter are behind us, it's time to look ahead to November and how the month shapes up climatologically. Normally, we try and predict when the first measured snow of the season will fall, but incredibly that already happened. The week ahead looks fairly quiet, too, as we adjust to Standard Time, which begins this coming Sunday morning, November 6, at 2 o'clock.

Snow is certainly not out of the question during this month. Perhaps the most memorable Thanksgiving Day in recent memory occured in 1989 when over a half-foot of snow fell that day. The snow began falling shortly after midnight, and by the time it ended late Thanksgiving afternoon, it was the biggest single-day snow event in November.

Snow also fell twice in 1995, including 2.4 inches on November 29 of that year. That was the snowiest Winter on record across southwestern Connecticut. Another "snowstorm" of note happened on November 6 and 7 of 1953 when a combined 5.4 inches fell. However, the average snow for the month is only 0.6 inches.

November can also be a wet month, too. The most precipitation in November occured in 1972 when 10.22 inches were recorded. There have also been some impressive single-day totals, including 3.12" (Nov. 2, 1954), 3.04" (1972), and 2.91" (Nov. 10, 1948). The average precipitation for the month is 3.81 inches, ranking it fourth behind March, May, and April as the wettest months of the year. The driest November happened 35 years ago when only 0.36" fell in 1976.

We begin to experience a dramatic decline in average temperatures, too. At the start of the month, the normal high and low are 59 and 43 degrees, respectively. However, by month's end, the normals are 47 and 33. That's an 11-degree drop in the mean temperature. The average high temperature is 53 degrees, while the average low for the month is 38.2 degrees.

The warmest November on record occured in 1975 when the average temperature was a relatively balmy 50.5 degrees. The coldest November happened 15 years ago, in 1996, when the mercury averaged 40.7 degrees. Although the temperature has never officially reached 80 degrees at the airport during the month, we've come close a few times. The warmest single day reading was 78 degrees which happened twice, on Nov. 4, 1975, and Nov. 15, 1993. Other notable warm days include 77 degrees (Nov. 2, 1950), and 72 degrees (Nov. 5, 1961).

The length of daylight continues to decrease with each passing day. We're a little more than seven weeks from the Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. By the middle of the month, Sunrise and Sunset are at 6:41 a.m. and 4:33 p.m., respectively. By the last day of the month, the Sun rises at 6:58 in the morning and sets at 4:24 in the afternoon. That's only one minute later than the earliest Sunset, at 4:23, in early-to-mid December.

The Full Beaver Moon happens Thursday, November 10. Why the Beaver Moon? This was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Full Beaver Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now actively preparing for winter. It is sometimes also referred to as the Frosty Moon.

Welcome to November.

Paul

Historic October Nor'easter Not Soon to be Forgotten

This was one for the record books. An unusual early Autumn Nor'easter delivered record-breaking October snow and massive power outages across Connecticut over the weekend. By the time the storm pulled away, over a foot of snow fell across much of Northern Fairfield County, and four inches blanketed Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, making Saturday the snowiest October day on record.

Many trees and tree branches came crashing down due to the weight of the heavy, wet snow, the leaves still on the trees, and the gusty winds. As of early this morning, there were more than 760,000 customers of Connecticut Light and Power still in the dark, and 9,000 United Illuminating customers were without power. As a result, many school systems are closed or have delayed openings today.

The snow totals were unbelievable for October. Danbury reported 17 inches of snow, while Ridgefield (15.5") and Shelton (12.8") received over a foot. Locally, Wilton (10.8"), New Canaan (6.0"), Norwalk (5.5"), and Bridgeport (4.0") also had record-breaking snow. Viewer Ralph Fato of Norwalk sent this photo of the Route 7 connector Saturday afternoon.

The normal average monthly snowfall for October in southwestern Connecticut is just a trace. Prior to this weekend, the only measured snow in October fell on Sunday, October 4, 1987, when a half-inch coated the region. That's what makes this latest snowstorm historic. Take a look at this photo of an ice- and snow-covered lake along Route 7 Sunday afternoon.

In the wake of the storm, skies cleared, the wind abated, and the temperature dropped like a rock last night. The mercury fell into the 20s inland and lower 30s along the shoreline early this morning, causing icy roads and cold homes for those without power this morning. Take a look at this picture of a downed tree and snow-covered Route 7 in Danbury. Is this really October?

Fortunately, our weather should be quiet for much of the week ahead. Halloween will be fine for the trick-or-treaters under partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the 40s to close to 50 degrees. Tonight will become mostly cloudy with a chance of a shower or two late and a low in the 30s to close to 40 degrees along the coast. At least we won't have to look at any more photos of snow and a fallen tree over the railroad tracks in the near future.

Have a happy and safe Halloween.

Paul

Satellite/Radar of Historic October Nor'easter

First Winter Storm of the Season Arrives This Weekend

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Northern Fairfield and New Haven counties from Saturday afternoon through late Saturday night. A major storm system will bring rain, snow, and wind to the region beginning Saturday morning, and up to three-to-six inches of snow may fall inland by the time the storm departs.

The unusual early-season storm will also deliver strong, gusty winds late tomorrow and Saturday night. The wind and heavy wet snow will combine with the leaves still on the trees to possibly cause power outages throughout the state. High temperatures will fall from 40 degrees early tomorrow into the 30s by the afternoon. The normal high temperature for this time of the year is 59 degrees!

The coldest air of the season arrived this morning with daybreak temperatures falling into the lower 30s across southwestern Connecticut. The mercury dropped to 34 degrees at Sikorsky Memorial Airport, well below the normal low of 43 degrees. However, it was slightly above the record low of 30 degrees set in 1976. Prior to today, the coldest temperature this month was 44 degrees on October 6, 7, and 24.

Viewer Ralph Fato sent this photo of a beautiful sunrise this morning along the southwestern Connecticut shoreline.

A trace of snow is the normal monthly average for our region based on 40 years of records. According to my weather record book, the only measured snow in October at Sikorsky Memorial Airport happened on Sunday morning, October 4, 1987, when a half-inch was recorded. I was working at the Western Connecticut State University weathercenter in Danbury at the time. It was an unusual sight for early October, to be sure.

Nor'easters are not uncommon in October, but measured snow is certainly a rarity. You may recall the storm of October 19, 1996, which brought damaging winds and heavy rain. More than four inches (4.12") of rain fell that day, and many people experienced flooding. The wettest day on record this month happened on October 15, 1955, when 4.76" of rain fell.

The storm will be gone by Sunday, but cooler-than-normal temperatures will be with us through the start of next week. Sunday will become mostly sunny, breezy, and chilly with a high in the upper 40s. Halloween will be mostly sunny and dry with a high in the mid-to-upper 40s. That will be a real "treat" from Mother Nature, considering she's giving us quite a "trick" tomorrow.

Paul

Orionid Meteor Showers to Peak Under Clear Skies Tonight

A crisp October weekend is ahead under mostly sunny skies with daytime temperatures close to 60 degrees and nighttime lows dropping into the 40s. The storm system which brought the rain and wind earlier this week has moved away, and high pressure will control our weather through Sunday. One of our viewers sent this photo of a beautiful pumpkin.

The weather should be just about perfect for pumpkin picking, taking a hay ride, watching a high school football game, or viewing the Orionid meteor showers. In fact, this year's Orionids show is scheduled to reach its maximum viewing just before sunrise tomorrow morning. The meteors are known as "Orionids" because the fireballs seem to fan out from a region to the north of Orion's second brightest star, Betelgeuse.

Currently, the constellation Orion appears ahead of the Earth in our annual journey around the Sun. The constellation does not completely rise above the Eastern horizon until after 11 p.m. local daylight time. At its best, several hours later around 5 a.m., Orion will be highest in the sky toward the South.

The Orionids are bits of debris shed long ago by Halley's Comet which the Earth intersects during its annual orbit around the Sun. The comet last came through the Solar System in 1985-86, and its nucleus shed a layer of dirty ice about six meters thick on average. During that time the dirt bits have spread all around Halley's orbit, which is why some of the particles now intersect the Earth even though the comet's orbit does not.

The Orionids typically produce around 20 to 25 meteors per hour under a clear, dark sky. Orionid meteors are normally dim and not well seen from urban locations, so you'd do best to find a safe rural location to see the most Orionid activity. After peaking tomorrow morning, activity will begin to slowly descend, dropping back to around five per hour by October 26. The last stragglers usually appear sometime in early to mid- November.

Across southwestern Connecticut, the meteor shower rises high in the Eastern sky, at least 45 degrees high, by 2 a.m. That's when the meteor activity begins to reach its peak. If you plan on watching the Orionids, find a dark spot with an open view of the sky. Sky and Telescope Magazine encourages viewers to "Arrange the chair so that any bright lights are behind you out of sight, bundle up, lie back, and watch the stars. Be patient."

Our weather should be just about perfect to see the Orionids tonight. We can expect clear skies and a waning crescent Moon late tonight. However, it will be quite chilly with low temperatures dropping into the 40s along the shoreline and possibly the upper 30s well inland. Make sure you dress warmly. I'll be outside watching the meteor showers, too.

Paul

Colorful Viewers' Autumn Weather Photos

Several of our viewers sent photos to me this week illustrating the splendor of Autumn and our local weather. Ralph Fato, who is a regular contributor to our News 12 Connecticut Facebook page, wrote, "(What an) amazing sunrise this morning. I took this with my camera phone while walking my dog. I’m sure there was a better view at the beach. Wow. Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in morning, sailor's warning.” Thanks, Ralph.

Hillka Schulz of Stamford carries her camera just about everywhere. She wrote, "Here are two pictures from our beautiful state in Autumn. The first one was taken in New Canaan, and the pumpkins are in Stamford. Happy Fall Season to all of you!"

Randy Brody took this photo of "a brilliant, but windy day at Compo Beach, Westport," last Sunday. Just look at that sky!

Jennifer James of Norwalk wrote, "Maybe you can use one of these on your weather forecast so that we can see some sunshine on the rainy days ahead. I took them at a small private beach in Norwalk."

Special thanks to all who sent their photos to us. I sincerely appreciate it. Keep 'em coming.

Paul