An Extreme Heat Watch will be in effect for southwestern Connecticut from Wednesday at 12 p.m. until Friday at 9 p.m. EDT.
— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) June 28, 2026 at 3:07 PM
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Paul
Sunday, June 28, 2026
Extreme Heat Watch Issued for Southwestern Connecticut Wednesday Through Friday
Thursday, June 25, 2026
June's Full Strawberry Moon Happens Next Monday, June 29, 2026
June's Full Strawberry Moon happens next Monday, June 29, at 7:56 p.m. EDT. The name was universal to every Algonquin tribe. However, in Europe they called it the Rose Moon. The relatively short season for harvesting strawberries comes each year during the month of June, so the Full Moon that occurs during this month was christened for the strawberry!
The June Full Moon is also called a Honey Moon in the Northern Hemisphere, possibly because it never gets very high in the sky. When we gaze toward the Full Moon in June, we are seeing it through more of the Earth’s atmosphere than when the Moon is overhead. The atmosphere reddens its color.
The Full Moon is especially low in the Northern Hemisphere because it occurs a few days after the Summer Solstice. The Full Moon is opposite the Sun in the sky. Therefore, when the Sun is higher in the Summer sky, the Full Moon is lower. Every Full Moon stands more or less opposite the Sun in our sky. That’s why the Moon looks full.
The Moon will rise around sunset, climb to its highest point around midnight, and set close to sunrise. As seen from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, the Moon – like the December Solstice Sun – will rise far South of due East and set far South of due West.
North of the Arctic Circle, the Full Moon – like the Winter Sun – will be too far South to climb above the horizon. Meanwhile, in the Southern Hemisphere – where it’s Winter now – the Full Moon will mimic the Summer Sun, arcing high in the heavens. South of the Antarctic Circle, the Moon will simulate the midnight Sun – up all hours around the clock.
Paul
The June Full Moon is also called a Honey Moon in the Northern Hemisphere, possibly because it never gets very high in the sky. When we gaze toward the Full Moon in June, we are seeing it through more of the Earth’s atmosphere than when the Moon is overhead. The atmosphere reddens its color.
The Full Moon is especially low in the Northern Hemisphere because it occurs a few days after the Summer Solstice. The Full Moon is opposite the Sun in the sky. Therefore, when the Sun is higher in the Summer sky, the Full Moon is lower. Every Full Moon stands more or less opposite the Sun in our sky. That’s why the Moon looks full.
The Moon will rise around sunset, climb to its highest point around midnight, and set close to sunrise. As seen from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, the Moon – like the December Solstice Sun – will rise far South of due East and set far South of due West.
North of the Arctic Circle, the Full Moon – like the Winter Sun – will be too far South to climb above the horizon. Meanwhile, in the Southern Hemisphere – where it’s Winter now – the Full Moon will mimic the Summer Sun, arcing high in the heavens. South of the Antarctic Circle, the Moon will simulate the midnight Sun – up all hours around the clock.
Paul
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Violent Thunderstorm and Tornado Ripped Through Bridgeport 16 Years Ago Today
The temperature soared to 90 degrees for the second day in a row at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford that day, but the dew point --- or moisture content in the atmosphere --- was extremely high. As the front approached, the sky darkened, the heavens opened up, and vivid lightning along with hurricane-force wind gusts ripped through the Park City.
There was dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning and a wind gust of 78 miles-an-hour in Bridgeport. The average wind speed during the height of the storm was 43 miles-an-hour. Nearly a half-inch of rain fell in a short period of time, resulting in some minor flooding of low-lying areas. But, it was the wind damage which caused a state of emergency to be declared in Bridgeport.
Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch and former Governor Jodi Rell arrived on the scene to survey the damage from the storm. "It looks like Godzilla went through and ripped roofs off and threw cars around and tore wires down," Finch said as he spoke with reporters and residents who had gathered in the streets. "I mean, it's really amazing," he added.
Personally, my family and I ran to the basement that afternoon once we heard a Tornado Warning was issued and the skies darkened. In a matter of minutes, the wind began to howl and heavy rain fell. My sons were worried that a tornado would rip apart our home. Not unexpectedly, the power went out, but the storm exited shortly thereafter. We didn't get our electricity back until just before midnight.
Paul
Saturday, June 20, 2026
"Severe Drought" Plagues Extreme Southwestern Connecticut
The United States Drought Monitor Index, which is released each week, places extreme southwestern Connecticut in a "severe drought," as of Thursday, June 18, 2026.
The Bridgeport climate station has recorded 1.01" of precipitation this month through June 19, which is well below the 2.59" normal through the same period based on 30 years of climatology. As a result, the region is more than one-and-a-half inches (-1.58") below normal for June.
The yearly precipitation total of 15.28" since January 1 is close to one-half foot (-5.44") below normal (20.72") through the period. Four of the first five months this year featured below-normal precipitation, including January (-0.77"), February (-0.25"), April (-2.42"), and May (-0.98").
The Bridgeport climate station recorded measured precipitation only four days this month, including the 0.65" in less than one hour during the thunderstorm of June 11th. The other dates include June 6 (0.10"), June 14 (0.08"), and June 15 (0.18").
Fortunately, there is rain in the forecast. In fact, more than one-and-a-half inches of precipitation are expected across southwestern Connecticut through Tuesday at 8 a.m. EDT.
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A rain dance wouldn't hurt, however.
Paul
Friday, June 19, 2026
Unforgettable Flooding Rains Pounded Southwestern Connecticut 52 Years Ago This Week
Many longtime residents of southwestern Connecticut remember the incredible flooding downpours 52 years ago this week. A three-day deluge the week of June 17 brought nearly 10 inches of rain to the region, flooded residents out of their homes, forced postponement of school graduation ceremonies, and caused widespread damage.
Personally, I’ll never forget those three days since our basement was flooded beyond belief. I actually thought our house was going to float away. The washing machine was floating. Firefighters, neighbors, and relatives helped my family furiously pump water out of the basement in what can only be called a losing battle.
I distinctly remember riding with my father to pick up another sump pump at a friend’s house in the middle of the night while our next-door neighbors helped out downstairs.
How much rain fell during the three day period? Too much. The monsoon began June 17, 1972, with nearly two-and-a-half inches (2.37″) of rain. The next day, June 18, brought nearly an inch (0.98″). But the deadliest blow happened the next day — June 19 — when more than a half-foot (6.18″) of rain buried the region. That one day total is nearly the average rainfall for two full months!
Cumulatively, 9.53″ of rain fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford. According to the National Weather Service, it marked “the heaviest flooding damage since the Fall of 1955.”
According to the front-page article in June 19, 1972 edition of The Bridgeport Post, “A civil defense warning was issued today at 9:10 a.m. concerning flooding in the Southern Connecticut area. The report, which came over the air from the city’s Emergency Reporting Service, stated that the rain would continue through most of the day, and that flash floods were expected to occur.”
The following day, the newspaper reported that “Many residents who had never experienced water accumulations before, were still busy pumping out and drying up cellars. Fire departments throughout the area were besieged by requests from residents seeking pumping assistance.” One storm-related death was reported when a gentleman was electrocuted as he waded through two-feet of water in his basement of his home. The victim came into contact with live wiring as he was repairing the furnace.
Fire authorities had warned that flooded basements posed hazards as water threatened to “short out” furnace motors. Civil defense officials in the state estimated that a damage toll reaching as high as $1 million was expected. The American Red Cross established emergency shelters at its headquarters in Fairfield and Darien. Adding insult to injury was the threat of even more rain from Tropical Storm Agnes through Wednesday, June 21.
What do I most remember about that memorable three-day deluge? The Fairfield Woods Junior High School ceremony, which was originally scheduled for June 21 at Andrew Warde High School, was pushed back one day. We were extremely disappointed, since we couldn't wait to walk into our new high school as soon-to-be-freshmen at Warde.
I also remember my cousin, Pat, a Vietnam veteran, blew out his knee while attempting to start a generator in our backyard. I can vividly remember him being wheeled into the back of the ambulance in a driving rainstorm while neighbors watched in disbelief from our backyard. He eventually married my next-door-neighbor, Ruth Ann, who stopped by with a home-cooked meal and met Pat.
The total rainfall for the entire month of June in 1972 was nearly a foot-and-a-half (17.7″). To put it in perspective, that's nearly a half-year's worth of rain.
Paul
I distinctly remember riding with my father to pick up another sump pump at a friend’s house in the middle of the night while our next-door neighbors helped out downstairs.
How much rain fell during the three day period? Too much. The monsoon began June 17, 1972, with nearly two-and-a-half inches (2.37″) of rain. The next day, June 18, brought nearly an inch (0.98″). But the deadliest blow happened the next day — June 19 — when more than a half-foot (6.18″) of rain buried the region. That one day total is nearly the average rainfall for two full months!
Cumulatively, 9.53″ of rain fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford. According to the National Weather Service, it marked “the heaviest flooding damage since the Fall of 1955.”
According to the front-page article in June 19, 1972 edition of The Bridgeport Post, “A civil defense warning was issued today at 9:10 a.m. concerning flooding in the Southern Connecticut area. The report, which came over the air from the city’s Emergency Reporting Service, stated that the rain would continue through most of the day, and that flash floods were expected to occur.”
The following day, the newspaper reported that “Many residents who had never experienced water accumulations before, were still busy pumping out and drying up cellars. Fire departments throughout the area were besieged by requests from residents seeking pumping assistance.” One storm-related death was reported when a gentleman was electrocuted as he waded through two-feet of water in his basement of his home. The victim came into contact with live wiring as he was repairing the furnace.
Fire authorities had warned that flooded basements posed hazards as water threatened to “short out” furnace motors. Civil defense officials in the state estimated that a damage toll reaching as high as $1 million was expected. The American Red Cross established emergency shelters at its headquarters in Fairfield and Darien. Adding insult to injury was the threat of even more rain from Tropical Storm Agnes through Wednesday, June 21.
What do I most remember about that memorable three-day deluge? The Fairfield Woods Junior High School ceremony, which was originally scheduled for June 21 at Andrew Warde High School, was pushed back one day. We were extremely disappointed, since we couldn't wait to walk into our new high school as soon-to-be-freshmen at Warde.
I also remember my cousin, Pat, a Vietnam veteran, blew out his knee while attempting to start a generator in our backyard. I can vividly remember him being wheeled into the back of the ambulance in a driving rainstorm while neighbors watched in disbelief from our backyard. He eventually married my next-door-neighbor, Ruth Ann, who stopped by with a home-cooked meal and met Pat.
The total rainfall for the entire month of June in 1972 was nearly a foot-and-a-half (17.7″). To put it in perspective, that's nearly a half-year's worth of rain.
Paul
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Extreme Southwestern Connecticut Experiencing a "Severe Drought," According to Latest Drought Monitor Index
Extreme southwestern Connecticut is experiencing a "severe drought," according to the latest United States Drought Monitor Index released Thursday, June 18, 2026.
— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) June 18, 2026 at 6:03 PM
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Paul
Sunday, June 14, 2026
Summer Solstice Happens One Week From Today, Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 4:24 a.m. EDT
Ask any child when Summer begins, and he or she will undoubtedly respond with the date of the last day of school. Ask an adult and his or her answer is most likely either June 20 or June 21. In case you're wondering, the Summer Solstice happens next Sunday, June 21, at 4:24 a.m. EDT.
That’s when the Sun’s rays will be directly over the Tropic of Cancer, marking their northernmost point on the face of the Earth. The Sun rises at 5:19 a.m. and sets at 8:30 p.m., which is the latest Sunset during the year. We’ll enjoy 15 hours and 11 minutes of Sunlight on the first day of Summer.
Two days later, the Sun rises at 5:20, and the days begin to get “shorter” once again. Remember, since the first day of Summer is theoretically “the longest day” of the year, the days actually become shorter by the end of the month and the remainder of the Summer.
So, why does the Summer Solstice actually happen? Well, the seasons of the year are caused by the 23.5 degree tilt of the Earth’s axis. Because the Earth rotates like a gyroscope, the North Pole points in a fixed position constantly, while the Earth is revolving around the Sun.
Two days later, the Sun rises at 5:20, and the days begin to get “shorter” once again. Remember, since the first day of Summer is theoretically “the longest day” of the year, the days actually become shorter by the end of the month and the remainder of the Summer.
So, why does the Summer Solstice actually happen? Well, the seasons of the year are caused by the 23.5 degree tilt of the Earth’s axis. Because the Earth rotates like a gyroscope, the North Pole points in a fixed position constantly, while the Earth is revolving around the Sun.
During one half of the year, the Northern Hemisphere has more exposure to the Sun than the Southern Hemisphere, while the reverse is true during the other half of the year. At noontime, the Sun appears high in the sky during Summertime, and when the Sun reaches its maximum elevation, or angle, in the sky, that’s when the Summer Solstice happens.
Summer was a joyous time of the year in prehistoric times for the Aboriginal people who lived in the Northern latitudes. The snow had melted, the ground thawed out, and warm temperatures returned. Flowers were in full bloom, and leaves had returned to the trees. More important, food was easier to find, and crops had been planted and would be harvested for months to come. The Full Moon is June is called the Full Honey Moon. Tradition dictates that this is the best time to harvest honey from the hives.
This time of the year, between the planting and harvesting of crops, is the traditional time for weddings because many ancient peoples believed that the grand union of the goddess and god occurred in early May. Since it was unlucky to compete with the gods, many people delayed their weddings until June. Today, June remains a favorite month for marriage.
Native Americans have constructed many stone structures linked to the Equinoxes and Solstices. Many are still standing today. One of them is called Calendar One. It is a natural amphitheater of about 20 acres in size in Vermont. From a stone enclosure in the center of the bowl, one can see a number of vertical rocks and other markers around the edge of the bowl. “At the Summer Solstice, the Sun rose at the southern peak of the East ridge and set at a notch at the southern end of the West ridge.” The Winter Solstice and both equinoxes were similarly marked.
I’d love to be at Calendar One on the first day of Summer. The start of each of the four seasons carries more significance to this writer than New Year’s Day, which, in essence, is an arbitrary date on the calendar. The start of Summer is just a few days away, and that is reason to celebrate in the Northern Hemisphere.
Paul
Summer was a joyous time of the year in prehistoric times for the Aboriginal people who lived in the Northern latitudes. The snow had melted, the ground thawed out, and warm temperatures returned. Flowers were in full bloom, and leaves had returned to the trees. More important, food was easier to find, and crops had been planted and would be harvested for months to come. The Full Moon is June is called the Full Honey Moon. Tradition dictates that this is the best time to harvest honey from the hives.
This time of the year, between the planting and harvesting of crops, is the traditional time for weddings because many ancient peoples believed that the grand union of the goddess and god occurred in early May. Since it was unlucky to compete with the gods, many people delayed their weddings until June. Today, June remains a favorite month for marriage.
Native Americans have constructed many stone structures linked to the Equinoxes and Solstices. Many are still standing today. One of them is called Calendar One. It is a natural amphitheater of about 20 acres in size in Vermont. From a stone enclosure in the center of the bowl, one can see a number of vertical rocks and other markers around the edge of the bowl. “At the Summer Solstice, the Sun rose at the southern peak of the East ridge and set at a notch at the southern end of the West ridge.” The Winter Solstice and both equinoxes were similarly marked.
I’d love to be at Calendar One on the first day of Summer. The start of each of the four seasons carries more significance to this writer than New Year’s Day, which, in essence, is an arbitrary date on the calendar. The start of Summer is just a few days away, and that is reason to celebrate in the Northern Hemisphere.
Paul
Friday, June 12, 2026
Heat Advisory and "Moderate" Drought Punctuate Hot & Dry June Across Southwestern Connecticut
Despite more than one-half inch of rain during a strong thunderstorm yesterday, southwestern Connecticut remains in a "moderate" drought, according to the United States Drought Monitor Index released Thursday, July 11, 2026.
Prior to yesterday's rainfall, only one-tenth of an inch of rain was recorded this month at the Bridgeport climate station through Wednesday. That's well below the 1.53" normal, based on 30 years of climatology.
Slightly more than fifteen inches (15.02") of precipitation have been recorded since January 1, which is 4.64" below the 19.66" normal through the period.
A Heat Advisory remains in effect through this evening for high temperatures climbing into the low 90s this afternoon. Thursday's high temperature of 87 degrees at Bridgeport was 11 degrees warmer than the 76 degree normal high temperature for June 11.
The average temperature this month is 69.1 degrees, which is 2.5 degrees warmer-than-normal. In fact, eight of the first 11 days this month have been warmer-than-normal.
Although this weekend will be hot, the humidity is expected to drop. A frontal boundary will bring some relief to the region Monday with a high temperature in the upper 70s.
Paul
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Fairfield & New Haven Counties Through 10 p.m. EDT
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Fairfield and New Haven counties until 10 p.m. EDT: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...
— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) June 6, 2026 at 5:21 PM
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Paul
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Month of May Much Drier-Than-Normal at Bridgeport Climate Station
The Bridgeport climate station recorded 2.60" of precipitation in May, which is nearly one inch (-0.98") below the normal climatological average (3.58"). There were seven days with at least one-tenth of an inch of precipitation.
— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) June 2, 2026 at 6:24 PM
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The average monthly temperature for May at the Bridgeport climate station was 60.3° F, which is 0.3° warmer-than-normal. The range was 93° (May 20) and 41° (May 1).
— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) June 2, 2026 at 6:21 PM
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Paul
Friday, May 29, 2026
Blue Moon Happens This Sunday, May 31, at 4:45 a.m. EDT
The second Full Moon of May --- a Blue Moon --- happens this Sunday, May 31, at 4:45 a.m. EDT. It is also a "Micromoon," because it occurs near Apogee, its farthest point from Earth, making the Moon appear slightly smaller and dimmer than usual.
— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) May 29, 2026 at 6:59 PM
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Paul
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Forecasters Predict a Below-Normal Hurricane Season for the Atlantic Basin This Year.
Forecasters with NOAA’s National Weather Service predict a below-normal hurricane season for the Atlantic basin this year. They are forecasting a 35% chance of a near-normal season, a 10% chance of an above-normal season, and a 55% chance of a below-normal season.
— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) May 27, 2026 at 7:46 PM
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Paul
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Much-Needed Rain Expected Across Southwestern Connecticut Through Memorial Day Weekend
Approximately one-and-a-half inches of precipitation are expected across southwestern Connecticut through Monday at 8 p.m. EDT.
— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) May 23, 2026 at 8:53 PM
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Paul
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Most of Southwestern Connecticut Experiencing a "Moderate Drought"
Most of southwestern Connecticut is experiencing a "moderate drought," according to the latest United States Drought Monitor Index released Thursday, May 21, 2026.
— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) May 21, 2026 at 7:25 PM
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Paul
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Today Marks 30th Anniversary of Warmest May Day on Record
Today marks the 30th anniversary of the warmest May day on record in southwestern Connecticut. The mercury soared to 97 degrees at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford on Monday, May 20, 1996, nearly 30 degrees warmer than the average high temperature for the date. In fact, only one other Spring day has been as warm, and that happened on June 9 of 2008.
What made the record high of 1996 so memorable was that it happened just 40 days after nearly a foot of snow capped the snowiest Winter on record, and just days after much colder-than-normal temperatures.
“Just over a week ago, the climate got rewound to Winter,” wrote N. R. Kleinfield of The New York Times in an article dated May 21, 1996. “Six inches of snow coated parts of upstate New York (as if the year required more snow). In the city last week, the high temperature dipped to the 50s. Spring, you might have noticed, either got lost or just forgot to come. Then came yesterday (May 20, 1996). It all got fast-forwarded to August. Bathing suits instead of ski parkas,” he continued.
“Turn off the heater and turn up the air-conditioner. What’s going on? Is this Earth or is this Mars? People could be excused for being mystified, discombobulated, distraught, furious, dazed, crazed, tentative, dizzy and, of course, just plain really, really hot.” The temperature reached a record high of 96 degrees in Central Park, eclipsing the previous record of 91 set in 1959, and a new record was established in Newark, where it was 99 degrees. Incredibly, just over a week earlier, on the weekend of May 11 and 12, 1996, it snowed in upstate New York.
Remember, the first two-and-a-half weeks of May in 1996 were unseasonably chilly. The record heat and outages at two power plants, one in Westchester and one in upstate New York, reduced the electricity reserves of New York state’s power pool, leading Consolidated Edison to ask customers to curtail electricity consumption. With air-conditioners thrumming away, demand in New York City reached around 9,000 megawatts, well above the normal 7,000 to 8,000 megawatts for this time of year.
Twelve years later, a late Spring scorcher, which included another 97-degree Spring day, forced area schools to dismiss early and close in early June of 2008. Temperatures soared to 90 degrees or hotter on Sunday, June 8 (90 degrees), Monday, June 9 (97), and Tuesday, June 10 (96). The normal high temperature for the first week of June is 74 degrees. It’s the first time in recent memory that school systems shut down due to the oppressive heat.
Paul
“Just over a week ago, the climate got rewound to Winter,” wrote N. R. Kleinfield of The New York Times in an article dated May 21, 1996. “Six inches of snow coated parts of upstate New York (as if the year required more snow). In the city last week, the high temperature dipped to the 50s. Spring, you might have noticed, either got lost or just forgot to come. Then came yesterday (May 20, 1996). It all got fast-forwarded to August. Bathing suits instead of ski parkas,” he continued.
“Turn off the heater and turn up the air-conditioner. What’s going on? Is this Earth or is this Mars? People could be excused for being mystified, discombobulated, distraught, furious, dazed, crazed, tentative, dizzy and, of course, just plain really, really hot.” The temperature reached a record high of 96 degrees in Central Park, eclipsing the previous record of 91 set in 1959, and a new record was established in Newark, where it was 99 degrees. Incredibly, just over a week earlier, on the weekend of May 11 and 12, 1996, it snowed in upstate New York.
Remember, the first two-and-a-half weeks of May in 1996 were unseasonably chilly. The record heat and outages at two power plants, one in Westchester and one in upstate New York, reduced the electricity reserves of New York state’s power pool, leading Consolidated Edison to ask customers to curtail electricity consumption. With air-conditioners thrumming away, demand in New York City reached around 9,000 megawatts, well above the normal 7,000 to 8,000 megawatts for this time of year.
Twelve years later, a late Spring scorcher, which included another 97-degree Spring day, forced area schools to dismiss early and close in early June of 2008. Temperatures soared to 90 degrees or hotter on Sunday, June 8 (90 degrees), Monday, June 9 (97), and Tuesday, June 10 (96). The normal high temperature for the first week of June is 74 degrees. It’s the first time in recent memory that school systems shut down due to the oppressive heat.
Paul
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Lawn & Garden Tips for May
Although Mother Nature can deliver some surprises in Spring, such as unseasonably cold temperatures in March and frosty nights in April, May is generally quieter. For gardeners, this means there's almost no limit to the gardening activities that can be done this month.
According to Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor at the University of Vermont, the first order of business in May is to finish up any chores that didn't get done in April, such as removing wraps from trees and shrubs. Also, rake out flowerbeds and remove last year's stalks from perennial plants. If you can't break them off easily, cut them with a pair of sharp shears. Be careful not to remove new growth from plant crowns.
Pruning shrubs, small trees, and bushes is also a top priority this time of the year. Prune broken branches from trees and shrubs before they fall and injure someone. You also can prune Summer flowering shrubs, hedges, and evergreen trees now. But by May it's too late to prune fruit-bearing trees like crabapple, plum, and cherry and too early to cut back spring-flowering varieties such as forsythia and lilacs. Wait until flowering is through for the year.
May is a good month to work on your lawn. I've already thoroughly raked my lawn to remove dead grass and give it room to breathe. Top dress bare areas with a mix of topsoil and peat, then reseed. Use a quality grass seed mix containing Kentucky bluegrass, red fescue, and perennial ryegrass. Water seeded areas, keeping them moist as the grass starts to grow.
This is also a good time to fertilize your lawn to encourage healthy growth. Use a balanced fertilizer, one containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash. However, a soil test is recommended as it will tell you if your soil already contains enough potash and phosphate, in which case you may only need a light application of nitrogen. Many lawns also need lime to grow well. A soil test will tell you how much to apply.
This is the primary planting month for vegetable gardens. Early this month you can plant cool-season crops such as peas, spinach, herbs, onions, and lettuce. Plant root crops, cole crops, and beans next. Wait until Memorial Day or later, depending on the last frost, to put in tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and melons.
If you are thinking of putting in a new flowerbed, prepare the bed by working the soil to a depth of one foot. Mix in lime if needed and organic matter in the form of peat moss or compost. Pay attention to flower color and placement. If a bed is to be viewed from one side only, then place taller plants in the back. Otherwise, put them in the center of the bed.
Avoid planting all the early flowering plants in one area or all varieties with the same flower type. If you are creating beds to be enjoyed from inside the house, plant hot-colored annuals and perennials (yellows, oranges, reds) in the front part of the bed. Plant blues and purples farther away. Adding plants with silvery foliage will help tie the color groups together.
Good luck with your lawn and garden this Spring.
Paul
Saturday, May 16, 2026
May Cooler and Drier-Than-Normal at Bridgeport Climate Station Midway Through Month
The average daily temperature at the Bridgeport climate station this month through Friday is 56.2° F, which is 1.5° cooler-than-normal. The range is 71° (May 5) and 41° (May 1).
— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) May 16, 2026 at 11:48 AM
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The Bridgeport climate station has recorded 0.70" of precipitation this month through Friday, which is 1.01" below the normal climatological average. Only three days featured more than one-tenth of an inch of rain.
— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) May 16, 2026 at 11:51 AM
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Paul
Friday, May 15, 2026
Most of Southwestern Connecticut "Abnormally Dry," According to Latest Drought Monitor Index
Most of southwestern Connecticut is "abnormally dry," according to the latest United States Drought Monitor Index released Thursday, May 14, 2026.
— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) May 15, 2026 at 5:54 PM
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Paul
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Chirping Birds at Night an Annual May Ritual
Do you hear the birds chirping in the middle of the night? I do. The birds began chirping shortly after 3 o'clock this morning. Yes, it happens every May. The birds are chirping their melodious songs in the middle of the night. Although sunrise is a few hours away, the birds are already in midday form.
Hearing the birds chirping loudly at that hour is nothing short of shocking. Obviously, the days are getting longer, but is that the only reason the birds are up so early in the morning this time of the year? My curiosity got the better of me. I just had to find out.
No doubt you’ve heard the old adage about the early bird catching the worm, but there had to be more to it than that. According to Yahoo Answers, “The birds chirp and sing to communicate,” it states. “What you may not know is that, with few exceptions, it is the males that are doing all the chirping and singing. They chirp and sing to attract a mate and to announce their territory.”
But why are they chirping in the middle of the night? “Each day, as soon as possible, the males want to make sure that everyone knows that they are alive and well and ready to defend their territory. What is interesting, although it may all sound the same to us, is that there is some evidence suggesting that each bird has its own unique song and other birds know it.”
As for the modern scientific viewpoint, it is devoid of any romantic, religious or aesthetic aspects. It states that the pre-dawn chorus this time of the year signifies the warning signals given by each bird as it announces the re-establishment of its territory for the purpose of courtship, nesting, and food getting. All of these are the fundamental and basic steps to breeding, and the early chorus is just a way to warn other counterparts to keep away from their respective territories.
Paul
Hearing the birds chirping loudly at that hour is nothing short of shocking. Obviously, the days are getting longer, but is that the only reason the birds are up so early in the morning this time of the year? My curiosity got the better of me. I just had to find out.
But why are they chirping in the middle of the night? “Each day, as soon as possible, the males want to make sure that everyone knows that they are alive and well and ready to defend their territory. What is interesting, although it may all sound the same to us, is that there is some evidence suggesting that each bird has its own unique song and other birds know it.”
As for the modern scientific viewpoint, it is devoid of any romantic, religious or aesthetic aspects. It states that the pre-dawn chorus this time of the year signifies the warning signals given by each bird as it announces the re-establishment of its territory for the purpose of courtship, nesting, and food getting. All of these are the fundamental and basic steps to breeding, and the early chorus is just a way to warn other counterparts to keep away from their respective territories.
Paul
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Local Weather Journal Earns Third Prestigious Communicator Award of Distinction
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The Communicator Award is judged by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, an invitation-only group of top-tier individuals from renowned media, communications, and marketing firms. This website previously won the award in 2012 and 2013 while affiliated with News 12 Connecticut.
"I am thrilled to win my third Communicator Award of Distinction as a valued member of Connoisseur Media," said Paul Piorek, the editor and publisher, who is the full-time on-air meteorologist at WICC 600 AM, 95.9 FM, 107.3 FM, and voiceofct.com. "It's been awhile since I added to my hardware. This award affirms my commitment and passion to southwestern Connecticut climate and weather."
"We are in an era of information and content overload. Breaking through requires the right message, medium, and moment," said AIVA General Manager Josh Campbell. "This season's winners got it exactly right, across campaigns, video series, annual reports, podcasts, websites and apps, immersive experiences, brand style guides, and beyond. We are deeply grateful to the AIVA jury for the expertise, curiosity, and dedication they brought to recognizing this work. We're honored to spotlight the winners."
The Communicator Awards recognizes excellence, effectiveness, and innovation across all areas of communication. For 32 years, the platform has provided an opportunity for companies, agencies, organizations, and independent creators to be honored, regardless of team size or project budget.
Website editor and publisher Paul Piorek's impressive media portfolio also includes a New York Emmy award (2007), five Emmy nominations (1993, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010), and four Connecticut Associated Press Broadcasters' Association Awards for Best Television Weathercast (2006, 2008, 2009, and 2012).
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Rare May Snowstorm Affected Northeast 49 Years Ago Today
In fact, at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, a trace of snow fell, and the temperature dropped to 37 degrees that morning, establishing a record low for this date. Other than a trace of snow which was reported May 27, 2010, it's the latest Spring day on which any snow has ever fallen in southwestern Connecticut.
The storm was quite shocking for this time of the year. Consider the normal high temperature for May 9 is 65 degrees, and the normal low temperature is 48. Snow in southwestern Connecticut is almost unheard of seven weeks after the Vernal Equinox. The coldest temperature ever recorded this month was 31 degrees on March 10, 1966.
According to the Naugatuck Daily News, "A Spring storm dumped several inches of snow on some parts of Berkshire County in Massachusetts. The area hardest hit by the storm was Great Barrington, Massachusetts, where police reported 10 inches of snow on the ground. Similar amounts were reported in parts of Vermont. Great Barrington police said there 'were about 100 trees down, wires are down, and we've got reports of accidents we can't get to.'"
Residents in the northwestern Connecticut rural communities of Goshen and Cornwall reported unofficial snow depths of up to five inches. The snow began to fall heavily in the Hartford area at the height of the commuter rush, slowing traffic considerably on most roads. The National Weather Service said a deepening area of low pressure over Connecticut produced a variety of weather conditions across Western Connecticut.
I consider myself a local weather history buff, but I honestly don't remember this storm. Special thanks to viewer Ralph Fato for recalling it and bringing it to my attention. It certainly had to be memorable for those who had to dig out of nearly a half-foot of snow in the northwestern corner of the state. I'm sure they were wearing their Winter coats, too, with the mercury plunging into the 30s.
Paul
The storm was quite shocking for this time of the year. Consider the normal high temperature for May 9 is 65 degrees, and the normal low temperature is 48. Snow in southwestern Connecticut is almost unheard of seven weeks after the Vernal Equinox. The coldest temperature ever recorded this month was 31 degrees on March 10, 1966.
According to the Naugatuck Daily News, "A Spring storm dumped several inches of snow on some parts of Berkshire County in Massachusetts. The area hardest hit by the storm was Great Barrington, Massachusetts, where police reported 10 inches of snow on the ground. Similar amounts were reported in parts of Vermont. Great Barrington police said there 'were about 100 trees down, wires are down, and we've got reports of accidents we can't get to.'"
Residents in the northwestern Connecticut rural communities of Goshen and Cornwall reported unofficial snow depths of up to five inches. The snow began to fall heavily in the Hartford area at the height of the commuter rush, slowing traffic considerably on most roads. The National Weather Service said a deepening area of low pressure over Connecticut produced a variety of weather conditions across Western Connecticut.
I consider myself a local weather history buff, but I honestly don't remember this storm. Special thanks to viewer Ralph Fato for recalling it and bringing it to my attention. It certainly had to be memorable for those who had to dig out of nearly a half-foot of snow in the northwestern corner of the state. I'm sure they were wearing their Winter coats, too, with the mercury plunging into the 30s.
Paul
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Frost Advisory Posted for Northern Fairfield & Northern New Haven Counties Sunday Morning
A Frost Advisory will be in effect for northern Fairfield and northern New Haven counties Sunday from 12 a.m. until 9 a.m. EDT: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...
— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) May 2, 2026 at 4:35 PM
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Paul
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Most of Connecticut "Abnormally Dry," According to Drought Monitor Index
Most of Connecticut is "abnormally dry," according to the latest United States Drought Monitor Index released Thursday, April 30, 2026.
— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) April 30, 2026 at 2:54 PM
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Paul
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Full Flower Moon Happens Friday, May 1, 2026
A Full Moon rises at about the same time the Sun is setting. Since the length of daylight continues to grow each day through the Summer Solstice, a Full Moon will rise later and set earlier in May and June. In addition, the Full Moon will appear lower in the sky since it won’t be visible nearly as long as during the long Winter nights. That’s because the Full Moon is a lunar phase which occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun.
Paul
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
57th Annual Earth Day Observance
There's no question we've become better stewards of our planet over the last five-plus decades. Earth Day founder Senator Gaylord Nelson passed away in July of 2005 at the age of 89. He believed strongly that education is the key to changing people’s attitudes about the environment, and he devoted much of his time and energy to that challenge.
“The idea of Earth Day evolved over a period of seven years starting in 1962,” he wrote. “For several years it had been troubling me that the state of our environment was simply a non-issue in the politics of the country. Finally, in November of 1962, an idea occurred to me that was, I thought, a virtual cinch to put the environment into the political ‘limelight’ once and for all. The idea was to persuade President Kennedy to give visibility to this issue. It was the germ of the idea that ultimately flowered into Earth Day.”
According to Senator Nelson, the first Earth Day “worked” because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. Though he felt he and his committee had neither the time nor resources to organize the 20 million demonstrators and the thousands of schools and local communities that participated, “it organized itself.”
So, how have things changed in the last 56 years? Certainly, we’ve become more aware of the need to take better care of our planet. Many important laws were passed in the wake of the first Earth Day, including the Clean Air Act, and laws to protect water, wild lands, and the ocean. The Environmental Protection Agency was created within three years of the first Earth Day.
Personally, I’ve seen a dramatic change over the last half-century. What I clearly remember as a child is taking a weekly pilgrimage with my Dad every Saturday afternoon to the town dump. Dad loaded the family car with all kinds of debris and junk from the basement, and we followed the dirt path, greeted the seagulls, and dumped everything at the landfill. The garbage was simply buried. Today, our garbage is turned into electricity or, in some cases, steam.
Garbage isn’t something most of us want to think about, but managing nearly 230 tons we generate each year has consequences. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the amount of garbage Americans generate has increased from 88 million tons to over 229 million tons since 1960. Fifty-two years ago, Americans produced about 2.7 pounds of garbage each day. By 2001, though, that amount jumped to 4.4 pounds a person each day.
I’m impressed at what has been done locally to address the issue of waste reduction. The Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority’s Bridgeport Project consists of a 2,250 ton-per-day mass-burn trash-to-energy facility, eight transfer stations, two landfills, a regional recycling center, and the Children’s Garbage Museum. The Bridgeport Project provides solid waste disposal and recycling services to 20 Connecticut communities in Fairfield and New Haven counties.
The Bridgeport Project trash-to-energy plant, which is located at 6 Howard Avenue in Bridgeport is truly an impressive facility. Take your family there, and I’m sure all of you will be amazed at what you see. It’s the perfect example of how “one man’s trash becomes another man’s treasure.” I’ve visited the plant several times, and each time I come away with a better understanding of how we manage our trash.
The solid waste is burned in a controlled environment to create electricity. Through this process, the volume of solid waste is reduced by about 90%. Waste-to-energy plants nationwide generate enough electricity to power nearly 2.3 million homes. Energy created in the Bridgeport facility has about the same environmental impact as energy produced from natural gas, and less impact than from oil or coal plants.
Recycling? We never bothered to recycle anything over a generation ago. Everything was considered “trash” back then. Now, we carefully sort our recyclables each week and place them in the blue bins. Recycled items include paper, aluminum, steel, plastics, glass, scrap tips, cell phones, and electronics. Americans recycled and composted nearly 30% of municipal solid waste in 2001, diverting 68 million tons to recovery.
Did you know, for example, that 71% of all newspapers are recovered for recycling? Over a third goes back into making more newsprint. The remainder is used to make paperboard, tissue, and insulation. Seventy-four percent of boxes are recycled, and nearly 46% of office papers are recovered for recycling. These become raw material for printing and writing paper.
So, yes, we’ve come a long way since the first Earth Day was “celebrated” on April 22, 1970. Much has been done since then, but there’s still a long way to go. The late Senator Gaylord Nelson said education was the key to changing people’s attitudes about the environment, and the more aware we become about our planet, the better we'll be able to take care of it.
God bless Planet Earth.
Paul
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Freeze Warning Issued for Fairfield & New Haven Counties Tuesday Morning
A Freeze Warning will be in effect for Fairfield and New Haven counties Tuesday from 12 a.m. until 9 a.m. EDT: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...
— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) April 19, 2026 at 4:01 PM
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Paul
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Record High Temperature Set Today at Bridgeport Climate Station
A record high temperature of 82° F was established at the Bridgeport climate station today, breaking the previous record high for this date of 81° set in 1960.
— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) April 15, 2026 at 5:10 PM
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Paul
Powerful Nor'easter Hammered Region 19 Years Ago Today
My basement was a disaster area, and the sight of water pouring into the cellar through the walls was alarming. Many local communities received more than a half-foot of rain in one day, including an incredible 7.50 inches in Weston.
Perhaps no picture better illustrates the destruction of the Nor'easter better than this one. Viewer Donna Dutko sent this photo of "the little pink antique store at the corner of Route 7 and Branchville Station." As you can see, the store collapsed from the force of the water and was partially submerged. The water was almost up to the railroad tracks, too.
Stamford recorded nearly seven inches of rain (6.84"), causing massive flooding of roads and headaches for motorists. Martin Silverman told of "the extreme road conditions at the intersection of High Ridge Road and Wire Mill." I heard many stories from motorists who had to find alternate routes or who were stranded on flooded roads during the height of the flooding.
Darien received nearly a half-foot of rain (5.93"). Richard Miller took this photo of Hoyt Street Sunday afternoon, April 15, at 4 o'clock. He jokingly wrote, "I thought I would share this with you before we go for a lap swim." As you can see, driving was dangerous just about everywhere.
I'm sure you'll never forget the Nor'easter of Sunday, April 15, 2007. I know I won't.
Paul
Perhaps no picture better illustrates the destruction of the Nor'easter better than this one. Viewer Donna Dutko sent this photo of "the little pink antique store at the corner of Route 7 and Branchville Station." As you can see, the store collapsed from the force of the water and was partially submerged. The water was almost up to the railroad tracks, too.
Stamford recorded nearly seven inches of rain (6.84"), causing massive flooding of roads and headaches for motorists. Martin Silverman told of "the extreme road conditions at the intersection of High Ridge Road and Wire Mill." I heard many stories from motorists who had to find alternate routes or who were stranded on flooded roads during the height of the flooding.
Darien received nearly a half-foot of rain (5.93"). Richard Miller took this photo of Hoyt Street Sunday afternoon, April 15, at 4 o'clock. He jokingly wrote, "I thought I would share this with you before we go for a lap swim." As you can see, driving was dangerous just about everywhere.
I'm sure you'll never forget the Nor'easter of Sunday, April 15, 2007. I know I won't.
Paul
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Seasonal Snowfall Record Smashed 30 Years Ago Today
It was a fitting end to the Winter that just didn’t seem to want to end. In fact, the first snowfall of the season happened the previous November.
When the last flake had fallen, 75.7″ of snow had fallen in southwestern Connecticut that Winter, breaking the previous mark of 71.3″ established more than 60 years earlier in 1933-34. Hartford finished the 1995-96 Winter with a record 114.6 inches, which eclipsed the previous mark of 84.9 inches only two years earlier.
What I most remember about that snowstorm was a telephone call I received from my brother and sister-in-law, who were living in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, at the time. That little town at the base of Mount Monadnock made national headlines when the second major snowstorm in three days produced nearly two feet (21 inches) of snow. My brother and sister-in-law were convinced that they were snowbound for awhile.
We also laughed about how much we were looking forward to seeing the first-ever baseball game at the brand new New Britain Stadium just two days later. The Eastern League’s Rock Cats were unveiling their state-of-the-art ballpark against the rival New Haven Ravens, and we were convinced the game wasn’t going to happen. We had purchased tickets well in advance. However, the game did go on as scheduled, and we enjoyed the festivities, despite temperatures in the lower 30s and snow in the parking lot!
Consider that the normal average snowfall for southwestern Connecticut for the month of April is only 0.9″ based on 40 years of record-keeping, and the normal average Winter snowfall is about 26.3 inches.
Paul
We also laughed about how much we were looking forward to seeing the first-ever baseball game at the brand new New Britain Stadium just two days later. The Eastern League’s Rock Cats were unveiling their state-of-the-art ballpark against the rival New Haven Ravens, and we were convinced the game wasn’t going to happen. We had purchased tickets well in advance. However, the game did go on as scheduled, and we enjoyed the festivities, despite temperatures in the lower 30s and snow in the parking lot!
Consider that the normal average snowfall for southwestern Connecticut for the month of April is only 0.9″ based on 40 years of record-keeping, and the normal average Winter snowfall is about 26.3 inches.
Paul
Monday, April 6, 2026
Today Marks 44th Anniversary of Snowiest April Day on Record at Bridgeport Climate Station
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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
Paul
Saturday, April 4, 2026
March Wetter and Slightly Warmer Than Normal Across Southwestern Connecticut
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
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
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
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
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