Overshadowed by the unseasonably warm weather has been the lack of rain. In fact, this has been the driest March on record through today. Just a little more than a half-inch (0.66") of rain has been recorded at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, which is more than two inches below the 2.82" normal through today.
Today marks the seventh straight day without any measured rain. In fact, we've only had one day (0.02") with any measured rain since March 13. Overall, there have been just six days with any rain this month, and half of those came on the first three days of the month. Since March 3, we've measured only 0.18" of rain.
Two years ago, however, it was quite a different story. You may recall that it was the wettest March on record. Three major rainstorms included the March 13 Nor'easter (3.85"), the rainstorm of March 22 and 23 (2.17"), and the flooding rains of March 29 through 31 (3.75"). Cumulatively, over ten inches (10.19") of rain hammered the region for the month. There were 14 days with measured rain, including four days with well over an inch.
Two years ago this week, a strong low pressure system moved into the Northeast late Monday, March 22, and the steady rain developed during the late-evening hours. Heavy rain pelted southwestern Connecticut through early Tuesday, March 23, causing headaches for early-morning commuters. There were a number of accidents on area roadways during the morning rush hour, due in no small part to the weather.
We're expecting much-needed rain later this week as a storm system moves in our direction. Scattered showers are likely later tomorrow under mostly cloudy skies and cooler temperatures. The afternoon high will reach the upper 50s to lower 60s. Sunday, however, will be rainy, windy, and raw with a high in the lower 50s. Daytime highs are expected to hold in the 50s through the middle of next week, while nighttime lows drop into the 30s.
Have a good weekend.
Paul
