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.
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
