Today Marks 44th Anniversary of Snowiest April Day on Record at Bridgeport Climate Station

Today, April 6, marks the 44th anniversary of the snowiest April day on record in southwestern Connecticut. What made the storm even more memorable were the gusty winds and cold temperatures. 

Record lows of 19, 18, and 23 degrees were established from April 6 through April 8, 1982, respectively, well below the 38-degree normal low temperature for this time of the year.

The snowstorm of Tuesday, April 6,1982, was one of the most remarkable late-season snowfalls to strike the Northeast. Snowfall accumulations from 10 inches to more than one foot occurred across much of Long Island, but the accompanying very cold temperatures and high winds caused extensive blowing and drifting of snow which was unprecedented for early April. 

More than one foot of snow (13") fell at Newark, New Jersey, 10 inches (9.8") blanketed New York City, and more than two feet of snow fell across upstate New York. The primary storm resurfaced off the New Jersey coast, producing gale force winds more than 60 miles an hour. It was the heaviest April snow in New York City since April 3 and 4 of 1915 when 10 inches fell.

The heavy snow forced the cancellation of the Yankees’ 1982 home opener against the Rangers at Yankee Stadium. Even worse, the weather stayed cold, and the Yanks cancelled another game against Texas, two games against the White Sox, and they eventually opened on Easter Sunday, April 11, 1982, by dropping both ends of a doubleheader to Chicago.

Paul

March Wetter and Slightly Warmer Than Normal Across Southwestern Connecticut

If you thought the month of March was rather dreary across southwestern Connecticut, you were right. In fact, 19 of the 31 days last month featured at least a trace of precipitation at the Bridgeport climate station.

The station, located at Sikorsky Memorial Airport, recorded 4.65" of precipitation last month, which is 0.56" above the climatological normal. Measured precipitation was recorded 13 days, including more than one inch (1.19") March 16 and a string of five successive days (March 3 through 7).

Ten days had at least one-tenth of an inch, and three days featured at least one-half inch.

March was also slightly warmer-than-normal. The average monthly temperature at the Bridgeport climate station was 41.1° F, which is 1.2° warmer-than-normal. The range was 72° (March 31) and 19° (March 2).

Only one day (March 2) had a maximum temperature below freezing (28°), while 17 days featured a minimum temperature of 32° or colder. 

Paul

Full Pink Moon Will Brighten April's Night Sky

The Full Pink Moon occurs today, April 1, at 10:12 p.m. EDT.  Full Moon names date back to the days of the Native Americans in what is now the Northern and Eastern United States. It is also the first Full Moon following the Vernal Equinox.

The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving them names to each recurring Full Moon. The names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. There have been some variations of the Moon names but, in general, the same ones were applied throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior.

So, how did the Full Pink Moon get its name? Well, the name comes from the herb moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the Spring. Other names for this month’s celestial body include the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, Egg Moon, and the Full Fish Moon, because this was the time that the shad swam upstream to spawn.

Farmers are encouraged to transplant during a Full Moon, when the lunar flower force is supposedly strong. The moisture content becomes low during the waning phase and less sap is rising in the trees and shrubs, so it’s a good time to do your pruning and attack weeds. According to lunar planting folklore, root plants should go into the ground during a waning Moon. It is also the best time to turn over the soil.

Enjoy the Full Pink Moon.

Paul

Today Marks 56th Anniversary of Easter Sunday Snowstorm

The month of March is arguably the most unpredictable as far as weather is concerned in southwestern Connecticut. Today marks the 56th anniversary of the unforgettable Easter Sunday snowstorm of March 29, 1970. Remember, a snowstorm this late in the season in southwestern Connecticut is extremely rare. 

The normal high temperature is almost 20 degrees warmer than the freezing point, while the normal low temperature is 35 degrees. In addition, the higher angle of the Sun, its stronger rays, and more than 12 hours of daylight all contribute to a Springtime feel of the air.

That's why the Easter Sunday snowstorm is so memorable. Adding to its uniqueness was the fact that it happened on Easter, a day on which many people travel to church services and to see relatives. 

More than a half-foot of snow fell in the Greater Bridgeport area and, to make matters worse, the mercury plummeted to 16 degrees the following morning at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford and 14 degrees in Norwalk. 

According to The Hour newspaper of Norwalk, eight inches of snow fell in the city. The weatherman pulled a somewhat premature April Fool's Day gag on Norwalkers Sunday and in the bargain, turned the Easter Parade into a trek more fitting for Siberian slopes than West Avenue," the article stated. "The snowfall, which came shortly after the traditional Easter Sunrise Service at Calf Pasture Beach, caught many a midmorning churchgoer unawares."

Although Easter occurred quite early that year, an Easter Sunday snowfall hadn't been recorded in southern Connecticut since 1915, when eight inches of snow fell April 3 and 4. The 1970 snowstorm began at about 8:30 a.m. and persisted throughout the day until early evening, accompanied by wind gusts up to 30 miles an hour. Remember, the date on which Easter falls fluctuates each year. It is observed on the first Sunday following the first Full Moon after the Vernal Equinox.

"The state highway department began plowing roads Sunday, though reports indicated much of its snow-fighting equipment was stored away to begin Spring cleanup of sand and road trash instead of snow," according to The Hour. "State police, in a statewide survey of conditions, reported most roads were snow or ice-covered, with extremely slippery conditions."

The following day, Monday, March 30, was an unscheduled holiday for many area schoolchildren due to the snow, wind, and brutally cold temperatures. Only New Canaan and Darien opened their schools, "as most towns, faced with slippery roads and unplowed school yards, cancelled classes."

Although I was only 11 years old and in sixth-grade at the time, the memory of that snowstorm is quite vivid. As a young child, I was excited that we didn't have to go to church or drive to grandma's house for dinner. Instead, our family spent the day at home, enjoying the snow and the holiday together. Oddly, four years later, 7.6" of snow fell at Sikorsky Airport on the same date.

Paul

Old Man Winter Delivered Vernal Equinox Snowstorm 11 Years Ago Today

A late-March snowstorm on the Vernal Equinox brought a half-foot of snow to several local communities and caused most school systems throughout the region to dismiss early, Friday, March 20, 2015. The snow began falling just after noon, and it became steadier and heavier throughout the afternoon, resulting in numerous fender-benders on local roads.

According to the National Weather Service official report, Weston led the way with 6.5 inches, followed by Norwalk (6.3"), New Canaan (6.3"), Shelton (5.5"), and Easton (5.5"). More than five inches (5.3") fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, which was just shy for the record for the date of 5.5" set in 1958.

The snowfall pushed the monthly snow total to 16.7", which is well above the normal (5.1") for the month of March. It also pushed the snowfall for the 2014-2015 season to 57.8", which eclipsed the previous year's total of 56.6" through the same date. The normal amount of snowfall through March 20 is just 31.2" based on 40 years of climatology.

Paul

Vernal Equinox Doesn't Signal End of Winter Weather

Tomorrow, Friday, March 20, is the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere. The Vernal Equinox happens at 10:46 a.m. EDT, meaning the Sun's rays are directly above the Equator. 

Theoretically, there are 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness over any spot on the face of the Earth. However, the Equinox doesn't necessarily mean an end to Winter weather.

In fact, 68 years ago today a snowstorm dumped just about a half-foot of snow on Bridgeport. Take a look at the front-page of The Bridgeport Post from the following day. According to the article, "Winter rallied its retiring forces yesterday and today and struck at the Bridgeport area with a wind-driven snowstorm. Towns along the Merritt Parkway reported 10 to 12 inches and Danbury had 16." Click on the image to see a larger version.

Although the normal monthly snowfall for March (4.3") is less than a half-foot, nearly a foot of snow fell on two separate occasions. Just over 11 inches of snow fell on March 22, 1967 (see the front page of The Bridgeport Post below), and the unforgettable Storm of the Century, Saturday, March 13, 1993, produced 10.6" at Bridgeport. More than a half-foot of snow (7.6") fell as late as March 29, 1974.

In addition, temperatures can vary significantly through the end of the month. Record low temperatures fell into the single digits March 18 (nine degrees) and March 19 (four degrees), 1967, and a record low of 16 degrees happened as late as March 29, 1970. 

April has also seen its fair share of snow, too. You may recall that more than a half-foot of snow fell Wednesday, April 10, 1996, capping the snowiest Winter on record at Sikorsky Memorial Airport. Also, a half-foot of snow fell April 6, 1982, which postponed Opening Day at Yankee Stadium. A half-inch of snow fell as late as April 19, 1983, and a trace of snow fell as late as April 28, 1966. The normal snowfall for the entire month, however, is less than an inch (0.9").

April can be quite chilly, too. Record low temperatures of 19 and 18 degrees were recorded April 6 and 7, during the 1982 snowstorm. Even though the average high temperature climbs to 60 degrees by the end of the month, the mercury has fallen into the 20s and 30s quite frequently in mid-to-late April. A record low of 29 degrees happened on April 22, 1975.

Happy Spring!

Paul

Flood Watch and Wind Advisory Posted for Southwestern Connecticut

A Flood Watch will be in effect for Fairfield and New Haven counties from Monday at 5 a.m. through Tuesday at 8 a.m. EDT: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) March 15, 2026 at 6:33 PM

A Wind Advisory will be in effect for Fairfield and New Haven counties from Monday at 2 p.m. until Tuesday at 4 a.m. EDT: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) March 15, 2026 at 6:35 PM

Paul

March 13 Is an Unforgettable Day in Southwestern Connecticut Weather History

Three of the most unforgettable weather events in recent history in southwestern Connecticut happened on this date. Two powerful storms and an all-time record high temperature for the season occurred on March 13, highlighting the unpredictability of the weather this time of the year. If you're of a certain age, I'm sure you remember all three weather "events."

As hard as it may seem to believe, the temperature climbed to an incredible 84 degrees at Sikorsky Memorial Airport on March 13, 1990. That established a record high for the date, month, and the Winter season. The normal high temperature for this date is only 45 degrees and the normal low is a chilly 31.

During March, a battle rages between the Spring and Winter seasons, and that makes predicting the temperatures during this month as difficult as any time during the year. The amount of daylight continues to grow each day, and the Vernal Equinox, the first day of Spring, is a week away. But, Old Man Winter has no intentions of packing his bags just yet.

I distinctly remember watching and feeling the temperature climb that day due to a strong westerly wind. The wind direction was extremely important, since the flow didn't come from the cooler waters on Long Island Sound. I was the evening weather anchor at News 12 Connecticut 36 years ago, and our "weather video" showed people flocking to a local beach to soak up the sun and warm temperatures. I'll never forget that day.

Then, just three years later, Saturday, March 13, 1993, the famed Storm of the Century pounded the Eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine. Locally, more than foot of snow fell across southwestern Connecticut, winds gusted higher than 40 miles an hour, and wind chills hovered at or close to zero throughout the day. It was the second snowiest day on record for March, and it will always be remembered because it affected such a large area.

Very heavy snow accumulated in the south. Birmingham, Alabama, picked up one foot of snow. Snow covered the ground from Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle. The heavy snow spread northward along the East Coast to Maine. On Saturday, March 13, every airport in the Eastern states was closed. Snowfall ranged up to four feet on Mount Mitchell, North Carolina. Atlanta, Georgia, picked up three inches. Chattanooga, Tennessee, received 21 inches. During the peak of the storm, about 30 percent of the entire country was hit by the rough weather.

Very warm, humid air moved across central Florida and, combined with the energy of the storm, helped spawn the 27 tornadoes. Winds were clocked at 99 mph on an oil platform off the Louisiana coast. Overall the storm took 285 lives, mostly because of tornadoes. The storm became the costliest nontropical storm in Florida's history. States of emergency were declared throughout the eastern portion of the country. 

I was called in for storm coverage that Saturday morning, and we remained on the air for more than 12 hours. Aside from the heavy snow, what I remember most from that day was the rapidly falling barometer. The pressure dropped to 28.35 inches in parts of New England, which is usually only observed in hurricanes. They peak at almost the exact opposite time of the year. By comparison, the normal average barometer reading for southwestern Connecticut is 30.02 inches.

The storm was deepening and intensifying as it moved toward New England, and the howling winds didn't let up. In the wake of the storm, back-to-back record low temperatures of 16 and 12 degrees were established on March 14 and 15, respectively, at Sikorsky Airport.

Then, 16 years ago, a powerful Nor'easter hammered Connecticut and, specifically, Fairfield County. The damaging wind gusts of 60 to 65 miles an hour, flooding rains, massive power outages, impassable roads, and week-long school closings won't soon be forgotten. We received incredible videos and photos of the widespread destruction across southwestern Connecticut. The following photos were sent by News 12 Connecticut viewers.

Former Governor the late M. Jodi Rell announced that the storm caused more than $7 million in damage statewide, and she requested a visit from Federal Emergency Management Agency officials to assess the damage. The Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security estimated $2.8 million worth of damage in Fairfield County alone. Fairfield County qualified for federal disaster assistance.

Preliminary damage estimates in Norwalk totaled more than $335,000, and damage to private homes was even greater. Damage to public buildings and parks, and the cost of funding police, fire, and city employee overtime reached about $335,065, according to the city's director of finance. The scoreboard at Brien McMahon High School was the single most expensive piece of property destroyed in the storm. Its damage was estimated at $18,000.

Stamford officials estimate private property damage at $3.58 million. Damage to public property was estimated at $262,000, and total overtime for city crews at $143,086. Tens of thousands of people lost power, and three school systems were closed for a week. Heavy rain delivered up to one-half inch per hour during the afternoon of March 13. Here is a sampling of area rainfall totals for that day:

• New Canaan: 4.34"
• Easton: 4.33"
• Wilton: 4.01"
• Stratford: 3.33"
• Woodbridge: 3.12"
• Westport: 2.97"
• Milford: 2.91"

This is certainly a date which will be remembered for dramatic weather on three occasions over the last 36 years.

Paul

"Spring Ahead" to Daylight Saving Time This Sunday at 2 a.m.

Spring officially begins in 12 days. The Vernal Equinox happens Friday, March 20, at 10:46 a.m. That's when the Sun's direct rays are above the Equator, creating "equal day and equal night" over the face of the Earth.

Don't forget to "Spring ahead" to Daylight Saving Time this Sunday morning at 2 o'clock. Traditionally, the start of Daylight Saving Time was originally set on the first Sunday in April. However, former President Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 in August of that year. The Act changed the date for Daylight Saving Time.

Aside from the benefits of brighter evenings and commutes home from work, one of the biggest reasons we change our clocks to Daylight Saving Time is that it saves energy. Energy use and the demand for electricity for lighting our homes is directly connected to when we go to bed and when we get up. Bedtime for most of us is late evening through the year. That's when we turn off the lights and TV.

According to the energy commission, in the average home, 25 percent of all the electricity we use is for lighting and small appliances, such as TVs, VCRs and stereos. A good percentage of energy consumed by lighting and appliances occurs in the evening when families are home. By moving the clock ahead one hour, we can cut the amount of electricity we consume each day.

Studies done in the 1970s by the U.S. Department of Transportation show that we trim the entire country's electricity usage by about one percent each day with Daylight Saving Time. We also use less electricity because we are home fewer hours during the "longer" days of Spring and Summer. That's certainly welcome news for those of us living in southwestern Connecticut. If you're a parent like I am, you probably find yourself telling your children to turn off lights and any electrical devices they are not using.

Most people plan outdoor activities in the extra daylight hours. When we are not at home, we don't turn on the appliances and lights. A poll done by the U.S. Department of Transportation indicated that Americans liked Daylight Saving Time because "there is more light in the evenings (and they) can do more in the evenings."

So you may be wondering if there are any drawbacks to the switch. For one, it will be darker in the morning. Unfortunately, it will stay darker longer in the morning, and many high school students will be waiting for the bus in the dark.

Another negative is that the earlier change to DST puts the United States out of sync with the rest of the world for longer than usual, almost certainly disrupting not just computers but the business and travel schedules of workers and travelers. Most internal clocks in computing devices were programmed for the old daylight-time calendar, which Congress set in 1986. And, don't forget, we lose an hour of much-needed sleep, too.

How do you feel about starting Daylight Saving Time nearly a month earlier? As far as energy savings are concerned, I'm all for it. However, I think it will give many of us a false sense of Spring. I prefer the start of DST on the first Sunday of April.

Paul

Winter Weather Advisory Issued for Northern Fairfield & New Haven Counties

A Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect for northern Fairfield and New Haven counties Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. EST: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) March 3, 2026 at 6:42 AM

Paul

Second Snowiest February on Record at Bridgeport Punctuates Frigid & Snowy Month

Now that the month of February is in the rear-view mirror, it's time to take a look at just how snowy and cold the month actually was.

Nearly two feet (22.7") of snow fell at the Bridgeport climate station, making it the second snowiest February on record, trailing only the unforgettable February of 2013, which featured the 30-inch blizzard of February 8 & 9, 2013.

This year's blizzard of February 22 & 23 delivered exactly 20" of snow, including a 15" total Monday, February 23. That Winter storm tied the February 17 & 18, 2003, Presidents' Day storm for the second highest two-day total in the city's history. In fact, there were six days with measured snow and five days with a trace of snow for the month.

February was also brutally cold. The average monthly temperature was 28.7 degrees, which is 4.4 degrees colder-than-normal. 

Eighteen days featured a colder-than-normal average temperature, including five days with an average temperature at least 10 degrees below normal. The range was 48 degrees (February 28) and two degrees (February 8).

Twenty-five days produced a low temperature of 32 degrees or colder, and five days featured a high temperature of 32 degrees or colder.

Paul

Meteorological Spring and March Opened on a Snowy Note 11 Years Ago Today

A snowstorm socked southwestern Connecticut with an average of a half-foot of snow Sunday, March 1, 2015. Officially, five inches of snow fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport, tying the record for the date. However, Weston (7.5"), Darien (7"), Stamford (6"), and Fairfield (6") received at least a half-foot of snow. Here is the official report from the National Weather Service.

The five inches at Bridgeport brought the 2014-2015 season total to 46.1" which is more than double the normal amount (22.4") through March 1. However, it still paled in comparison to the previous year's amount of 56.5" through the same date. It was also the 17th day out of 29 since February 1st with at least a trace of snow at Bridgeport.
                                

Paul

Blizzard of 2026 Delivers Heavy Snow & Damaging Winds to Southwestern Connecticut

Click here to listen to my summary of the Blizzard of 2026 as aired on WICC 600 AM, 95.9 FM, and 107.3 FM, from Monday evening, February 23, 2026.

The Blizzard of Sunday and Monday, February 22 and 23, 2026, delivered the most snow to southwestern Connecticut in 13 years. In fact, the Winter storm brought the season snowfall total to 54.6 inches and pushed the monthly total to 21.4 inches, making it the second snowiest February on record at the Bridgeport climate station. 

Bridgeport hit the jackpot in southwestern Connecticut with 20 inches of snow, just behind New Fairfield's 21 inches, as reported by the National Weather Service. The accompanying photos are from Samp Mortar Lake in the Lake Hills section of neighboring Fairfield.

The numbers were even more impressive in eastern Connecticut. North Stonington reported more than 30 inches, while Mystic (24"), Madison (22.1"), New London (21.5"), and Pawcatuck (20.5") eclipsed the 20-inch mark.

The wind was also an issue throughout the Winter storm. Peak wind gusts of 53 mph and 51 mph were reported at Bridgeport and Fairfield, respectively. Groton, in the southeastern part of Connecticut, clocked a 68 mph wind gust Monday at 7:19 a.m.

Here is a visible satellite view of the storm.

Paul

Blizzard Warning Issued for Southwestern Connecticut Sunday & Monday

A Blizzard Warning will be in effect for Fairfield and New Haven counties from Sunday at 1 p.m. through Monday at 6 p.m. EST: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) February 21, 2026 at 3:47 PM

Nearly one-and-a-half feet of snow is expected across southwestern Connecticut through Monday at 7 p.m. EST.

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) February 21, 2026 at 6:35 PM

A Coastal Flood Warning will be in effect for southern Fairfield and New Haven counties Monday from 12 a.m. until 5 a.m. EST: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) February 21, 2026 at 3:48 PM

Paul

Major Winter Storm to Affect Southwestern Connecticut Late Sunday Into Monday

Six-to-ten inches of snow are expected across southwestern Connecticut through Monday at 7 p.m. EST.

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) February 20, 2026 at 4:14 PM

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Fairfield and New Haven counties from Sunday at 6 a.m. until Monday at 6 p.m. EST: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) February 20, 2026 at 4:13 PM

Paul

Marking the 23rd Anniversary of the Presidents' Day Blizzard of 2003

Today, February 17, marks the 23rd anniversary of the unforgettable Presidents Day Blizzard of 2003. It ranked as the snowiest day on record at the time at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, tying the previous mark of 16 inches established on December 19, 1948. In New York's Central Park, where records date back well over a century, the 19.8 inches ranked as the fifth snowiest single day total. 

The snowfall totals across southwestern Connecticut were impressive. Darien and New Canaan measured the most snow (20 inches), while Westport (19"), Bridgeport (17"), Norwalk (16"), and Milford (15") also posted impressive totals. New Fairfield, in Northern Fairfield County, led the way locally with exactly two feet of snow. 

The magnitude of the storm was quite impressive. It spread heavy snow across the major cities in the Northeast from Washington to Boston. In fact, it was the biggest snowstorm on record in Baltimore (28.2") and Boston (27.5"). The storm actually developed in the southern Rockies on February 14 and moved through southern Missouri and the lower Tennessee Valley over the next two days. Eventually, the storm brought heavy rain and severe weather to the deep South.

In the Northeast, Arctic air helped slow down the storm and kept all of the precipitation in the form of snow and some sleet. By late Sunday evening, February 16, the snow reached the New York City area, and by midnight, it was snowing across all of southwestern Connecticut. A secondary area of low pressure developed off the Virginia coast the morning of February 17, turning the Nor'easter into a full-blown blizzard.

Paul