Freeze Warning Issued for Northern Fairfield and New Haven Counties

A Freeze Warning will be in effect for northern Fairfield and New Haven counties Sunday from 12 a.m. until 9 a.m. EDT: forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatx...

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) October 17, 2026 at 6:20 AM

Paul

Ninth Straight Sunday With Measured Rain at Bridgeport Climate Station

This is the ninth consecutive Sunday the Bridgeport climate station has recorded measured rain. Only one Sunday (August 9) in the last three calendar months --- 11 weeks --- has been completely dry.

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) October 11, 2026 at 8:50 PM

Paul

Season's Earliest Snowfall Happened 39 Years Ago Today

The earliest snow on record happened 39 years ago today across Connecticut, New York, and New England. Officially, a half-inch of snow was recorded at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, while some areas of the Northeast were buried in more than a foot of snow that closed roads and airports, knocked out power to more than 300,000 homes, and turned russet Autumn to wintry solitude.

The coastal storm of Sunday, October 4, 1987, broke records by dumping up to 20" of heavy wet snow in upstate New York, 18" in Western Massachusetts, 12" in Vermont, and nine inches in Northern Connecticut. Consider the normal high and low temperatures for this date in southwestern Connecticut are 68 and 51 degrees, respectively. The storm delivered 1.25" of liquid precipitation to Sikorsky Airport which still remains a record for this date.

Here is the story as it appeared in the New York Times the following day:

The storm, which was caused by a collision of cold and wet air masses, also brought down an untold number of trees and tree limbs which were still full of leaves. Many vehicles were damaged by the falling trees and limbs, and there were many weather-related traffic accidents which resulted in injuries or deaths.

I worked the early-morning shift at the Western Connecticut State University weathercenter in Danbury at the time, and I remember being shocked by the snow and cold. It was hard to believe that it was still Summer just two weeks earlier. Twenty-four years later a powerful Nor'easter brought heavy snow to the Northeast two days before Halloween. Let's hope this October is much quieter weatherwise.

Paul

Bridgeport Climate Station Records More Than Eight Inches of Precipitation for September

The Bridgeport climate station recorded 8.22" of precipitation for September, which is 4.41" above-normal (3.81"). More than four inches (4.25") fell Sunday, September 13.

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) October 2, 2026 at 11:45 AM

Paul

Strongest Wind Gust Reports Across Southwestern Connecticut

Here are the strongest wind gust reports from Fairfield and New Haven counties as of Sunday morning:

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) September 27, 2026 at 10:54 AM

Paul

Today Marks 41st Anniversary of Hurricane Gloria's Arrival to Southwestern Connecticut

Forty-one years ago today, Hurricane Gloria was about to deliver strong winds, massive power outages, and heavy rain to southwestern Connecticut. Area residents were well-prepared for the hurricane, which caused significant damage and destruction to the Northeast.

I was a rookie educator at the time, having just secured my first position as a seventh grade teacher in a self-contained classroom at a private school in New Haven. Weather was my passion, naturally, and I was able to share my excitement at the upcoming storm. Just three weeks into the profession, I received a week's vacation unexpectedly.

I was also a weekend newscaster and disc jockey at WMMM radio in Westport. I received a phone call from program director Gary Zenobia just after I returned home from school on Thursday afternoon requesting that I host an overnight newscast to inform our listeners about the impending storm and emergency measures which may have to be taken. WMMM was a daytime-only station, meaning it was on the air during daylight hours and signed off at sunset, but this time it was granted an exception by the Federal Communications Commission.

As my family was applying duct tape to picture windows, securing lawn furniture, stocking up on non-perishable food, and checking batteries for flashlights and portable radios, I was packing a bag for my overnight stay at the radio station. We had a few reporters "on location" at various shelters throughout town, and then-First Selectman the late William Seiden joined me on the air most of the night to reassure listeners that their safety was our primary concern.

The overnight hours were anxious moments for all of us as we awaited the arrival of the storm. Local shelters began to fill up quickly, and I remember answering the telephone every couple of minutes from town residents who were sharing their concerns and fears. Gloria struck quickly and furiously. The hurricane hit New York and Connecticut as a moderate hurricane early the next day. At the time of landfall on Long Island, Gloria had sustained winds of 85 miles per hour, while rapidly moving forward at 35 miles per hour.

This combination of sustained winds and rapid forward motion produced major hurricane conditions and gusts to 115 mph across a narrow area of Eastern Long Island, New York. Although Gloria was not a major hurricane when it struck Connecticut, it was still the most damaging hurricane to strike the state since Carol in 1954. The rain began overnight, and before long the winds became a serious matter.

As the morning wore on, Gloria continued to accelerate northward off the Eastern seaboard, brushing the coastlines of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey with hurricane-force gusts. Later that morning, Gloria finally crossed the coast of the United States mainland near western Long Island about 10-miles East of Kennedy International Airport. Passing over central Long Island, Gloria crossed the Connecticut coast near Bridgeport about 40 minutes later with sustained winds of 80 mph. By that time, I was already home, but there was no way I was going to go to sleep.

I vividly remember the eye of the hurricane passing almost directly overhead by midday. That's when the skies cleared, the winds calmed dramatically, and the damage was plainly visible. Downed trees, power lines, and debris scattered just about everywhere greeted us as we stepped outside. Naturally, the power was out, too, and we remained "in the dark" for almost six days. Needless to say, I didn't have to worry about any lesson plans for quite awhile.

There were very few wind reports near the area of landfall in New York and Connecticut due to the complete evacuation of Coast Guard personnel from stations across the region. The strongest official wind gust recorded on Long Island was 84 mph at Islip. In Connecticut, the National Weather Service at Sikorsky Airport in Stratford recorded sustained winds of 74 mph with a gust to 92 mph.

A barometric pressure of 28.37 inches was measured by aircraft when Gloria crossed Long Island. The National Weather Service at Kennedy International Airport recorded a minimum pressure of 28.57 inches, while Sikorsky Airport in Bridgeport, Connecticut, recorded a low pressure of 28.47 inches. This was the lowest barometric pressure recorded in Connecticut and New York since Donna in 1960, 25 years earlier.

Gloria produced weak Category Two hurricane conditions across southwestern Connecticut. The storm continued to lose intensity as it passed over Long Island. Peak wind gusts in south-central and southeastern Connecticut were close to 95 mph as the tropical cyclone swept over the region. The metropolitan New Haven area was hit with wind gusts of 90 mph and heavy rain. There were only a few reports of minimal structural damage in southwestern Connecticut. Tree damage in Connecticut was heavy within 10 to 20 miles of the coast, and along the coast from around Bridgeport to New London.

By late Friday afternoon, the storm was long gone, but the cleanup was just staring. Since the power was out, my family and I headed to nearby Bridgeport to have dinner at a restaurant which was operating on emergency generators. I still think of Gloria whenever I drive past that restaurant. In fact, I still have my framed certificate from Mr. Seiden thanking me for my service to Westport. It was a storm I will never forget.

Paul

Wind Advisory Issued for Southwestern Connecticut

A Wind Advisory remains in effect for Fairfield and New Haven counties until Sunday at 6 a.m. EDT: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) September 26, 2026 at 10:30 AM

Paul

Autumn Officially Arrives in the Northern Hemisphere Today

The Autumnal Equinox officially arrives today at 10:21 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. That's when the direct rays of the Sun are above the Equator, technically marking "equal day and equal night" across the face of the globe. As the direct rays of the Sun continue to move South of the Equator, the Southern Hemisphere will be enjoying the start of Spring this week.

However, here in the Northern Hemisphere, the amount of daylight continues to dwindle, and the Sun now sets before 7 o'clock in the evening. Recall that in late June, during the time of the Summer Solstice, the Sun set at 8:30. We've lost more than an hour-and-a-half of daylight just in the evening alone over the last three months.

So why does the Equinox happen? The seasons of the year are caused by the 23.5º tilt of the Earth's axis. Because the Earth is rotating like a top, it points in a fixed direction continuously toward a point in space near the North Star. That's why the North Star appears to be the only star which doesn't move in our night sky. However, the Earth is also revolving around the Sun. During half of the year, the Southern Hemisphere is more exposed to the Sun than the Northern Hemisphere. During the rest of the year, the reverse is true.

At noontime in the Northern Hemisphere the Sun appears high in the sky during the Summer and low in the sky during Winter. It is highest at the Summer Solstice in late June and lowest at the Winter Solstice by the end of December. The half-way points in the year are called the Equinoxes. It is the time of the year when the Sun rises exactly in the East, travels through the sky for 12 hours, and sets exactly in the West. The photo below shows visitors at Stonehenge on the Salisbury Plain in England.

However, on the Autumnal Equinox in southwestern Connecticut, the Sun rises at 6:40 a.m. and sets at 6:50 p.m., giving us 12 hours and ten minutes of daylight. That has to do with the angle at which the Sun rises and sets. Actually, "equal day and equal night" occurs for us on September 25th and 26th when we receive just about 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness.

Happy Autumn!

Paul

Record Rainfall Causes Catastrophic Flooding Across Southwestern Connecticut

The final rain totals from across southern Fairfield and New Haven counties are quite impressive and historical.

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) September 14, 2026 at 6:31 AM

Paul

Flash Flood Warning for Southern Fairfield County

A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for southern Fairfield County until 10:30 a.m. EDT: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) September 13, 2026 at 7:49 AM

Paul

Recalling Tropical Storm Hanna 18 Years Ago Today

Today marks 18 years since the arrival of Tropical Storm Hanna. The storm came and went fairly quickly Saturday, September 6, 2008, delivering more than three inches of rain at Sikorsky Memorial Airport, scattered power outages, and gusty winds. It could have been a lot worse, but the storm raced through the region, arriving late Saturday afternoon and exiting during the early morning hours Sunday, September 7.

The storm brought a peak wind gust of 39 miles-an-hour and a peak wind speed of 30 miles-an-hour, sparing southwestern Connecticut any damaging or destructive winds. Perhaps the most memorable aspect of the storm was the brutal tropical humidity throughout the day, ultimately leading to the heavy downpours by late-afternoon through the evening hours.

The heaviest rain fell to our North, with parts of Northern Fairfield County receiving more than a half-foot of rain. Remember, the average normal rainfall for September is 3.58 inches. The bands of heavy rain made traveling difficult at times, and some roadways were flooded. 

Here are some of the unofficial rainfall totals from across southwestern Connecticut from Hanna's visit:

• Woodbridge: 5.04"
• Norwalk: 4.37"
• Fairfield: 4.13"
• Greenwich: 3.93"
• Stamford: 3.62"
• Stratford: 3.55"
• Milford: 3.42"
• Bridgeport: 3.30"

The storm followed the forecast track for the most part, with the eye of the storm passing just to our East late Saturday evening and moving well to our North and East by the end of the weekend. The skies cleared quickly the following day. 

Paul

Tenth Wettest August on Record at Bridgeport Climate Station

The Bridgeport climate station recorded 6.39" of precipitation last month (161% of normal), making it the tenth wettest August on record.

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) September 3, 2026 at 4:31 PM

The Bridgeport climate station recorded 6.39" of precipiation in August, which is well above (+2.41") the 3.98" climatological average for the month.

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) September 1, 2026 at 3:09 PM

Paul

Marking the 15-Year Anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene

Tropical Storm Irene hit the region 15 years ago today, and it 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, August 28, 2011, easily breaking the previous record of 480,000 following Hurricane Gloria in September of 1985. In fact, 98% of Redding and 89% of Weston households were without power on Monday, August 29, 2011.

The shoreline was hit the hardest, especially during the storm surge at the time of high tide late Sunday morning, August 28. 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. 

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. 

Although the storm's effects would be 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 was 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 Sikorsky 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. 

Thus far this year, the Atlantic tropical season has been fairly quiet. However, that was not the case 15 years ago today.

Paul

Wettest Meteorological Summer on Record at Bridgeport

This is the wettest meteorological Summer on record at the Bridgeport climate station. The 21.21" of precipitation since June 1 broke the previous record of 20.23" (1972) for June, July, and August.

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) August 24, 2026 at 8:59 PM

The Bridgeport climate station has recorded 21.21" of precipitation since June 1 --- the start of meteorological Summer --- which is more than double the 10.25" normal through August 24. Last year's total was 3.85" through the same period.

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) August 24, 2026 at 4:54 PM

Paul

Flood Watch in Effect for Fairfield County Through Early Friday Morning

A Flood Watch is in effect for Fairfield County until Friday at 2 a.m. EDT: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) August 20, 2026 at 2:04 PM

Paul

Marking the 71st Anniversary of Hurricane Connie's Arrival to Southwestern Connecticut

Long-time area residents will never forget August of 1955 when two of the most memorable hurricanes --- Connie and Diane --- battered the Northeast. Hurricane Connie soaked New England with torrential rains on August 13, 1955. Then, just five days later, Tropical Storm Diane followed suit creating massive flooding not seen since the 1930s. 

The combination of Connie and Diane yielded rainfall totals close to 25 inches in some areas, resulting in unprecedented flooding. Nearly all of the major rivers in the lower Connecticut Valley exceeded flood stage. Some rivers rose more than 20 feet over their banks. Read the Valley News archive of daily weather events from August of 1955 to gain a better understanding of the power of those two August hurricanes.

While the two hurricanes affected the entire Atlantic coast, Connecticut suffered the most damage. For example, of the 180 lives that were lost, 77 were in Connecticut. Of the 680 million dollars in property damage, over 350 million dollars occurred in Connecticut. Over 200 dams in New England suffered partial to total failure. Many of these were in the area immediately south of Worcester, in the Thames and Blackstone headwaters. 

If August was not bad enough, two months later, a four day storm dumped an additional 12-14 inches of rain in southwestern New England. This event was not as widespread as the August storms, but record flood levels were achieved in some locations of the Housatonic and Hudson River basins.

Paul

Radio Broadcast from WAVZ-AM in New Haven of The Great Flood of August 18, 1955 in Connecticut (Part II)

Radio Broadcast from WAVZ-AM in New Haven of The Great Flood of August 18, 1955 in Connecticut (Part I)

August 18 Marks Two-Year Anniversary of Historic One-Day Flooding Across Parts of Southwestern Connecticut

A historic deluge delivered more than one foot of rain to parts of southwestern Connecticut Sunday, August 18, 2024, during a heavy rain storm which destroyed many homes, businesses, and roads.

Oxford reported 14.83" of rain, breaking the previous 24-hour rainfall record in Connecticut of 12.77" at Burlington during Hurricane Diane on August 19, 1955. Here are the official rain totals from across the region, including Fairfield and New Haven counties, from the National Weather Service:

Oxford was the hardest hit municipality. Two women lost their lives when they were swept away by the raging floodwaters. The photo below shows the flooding along Oxford Road.

Ironically, the storm happened on the 69th anniversary of The Great Flood of 1955 during Hurricane Diane. The video below shows the incredible rescue of people from the Brookside Inn on Oxford Road. Read the complete story by clicking here.

This home on East Hill Road in Oxford was completely washed into the Five Mile Brook.

Paul

Declination of the Sun Changes Dramatically During August

I'm sure you've noticed that the length of daylight is decreasing across southwestern Connecticut. The mornings are getting lighter later, while the evenings are getting darker earlier. That's to be expected this time of the year. However, have you noticed the subtle change in the length of the shadows? That's due to the lower angle of the Sun in the sky.

It has been nearly eight weeks since the Summer Solstice, and the Autumnal Equinox is just a little more than five short weeks away. The Sun is not nearly as high in the sky today as it was on the first day of Summer. The Sun was 23.26 degrees North of the celestial equator on June 21, which is as high as it ever gets in southwestern Connecticut. The days were at their longest and the shadows were at their shortest.

Today, though, the Sun is just 14.52 degrees North of the celestial equator, meaning that it's nearly four degrees lower in the sky than it was August 1 (+18.10 degrees) and nearly ten degrees lower than it was at the end of June (+23.13). The Sun's lower angle in the sky continues to accelerate through the end of the month. By August 31, for example, it will be just 8.52 degrees North of the celestial equator.

The Sun's rays remain North of the celestial equator through September 23, when the Sun is just 0.10 degrees above it. From that point on, the Sun's rays continue to sink below the celestial equator until December 21, the first day of Winter, when they reach -23.26 degrees. That, understandably, is the shortest day of the year in terms of sunlight.

So, what does this all mean? In short, the Sun's angle is continuing to sink lower in the sky, the shadows outside are getting a little longer each day, and the length of daylight is decreasing each day. The midpoint of Summer was a little less than two weeks ago, and now Autumn is staring right at us. I'm not ready for Summer to leave just yet.

Paul

Hurricane Connie Struck Coastal Connecticut 70 Years Ago Today

Many long-time area residents will never forget the deluge which happened 70 years ago today. Hurricane Connie brought nearly four inches (3.92") of rain to the region on Friday, August 12, 1955. Take a look at the front page of The Bridgeport Telegram from Saturday, August 13, 1955.

August of 1955 will be remembered for two of the most memorable hurricanes --- Connie and Diane --- which battered the Northeast. Hurricane Connie soaked New England with torrential rains on August 12 and 13, 1955. Then, just five days later, Tropical Storm Diane followed suit creating massive flooding not seen since the 1930s. Take a look at the front page of The Bridgeport Telegram from Saturday, August 20, 1955.

The combination of Connie and Diane yielded rainfall totals close to 25 inches in some areas, resulting in unprecedented flooding. Nearly all of the major rivers in the lower Connecticut Valley exceeded flood stage. Some rivers rose more than 20 feet over their banks. Read the Valley News archive of daily weather events from August of 1955 to gain a better understanding of the power of those two August hurricanes!

While the two hurricanes affected the entire Atlantic coast, Connecticut suffered the most damage. For example, of the 180 lives that were lost, 77 were in Connecticut. Of the 680 million dollars in property damage, over 350 million dollars occurred in Connecticut. Over 200 dams in New England suffered partial to total failure. Many of these were in the area immediately south of Worcester, in the Thames and Blackstone headwaters. Here is a photo of Winsted, Connecticut, virtually devastated following the flood.

If August was not bad enough, two months later, a four day storm dumped an additional 12-14 inches of rain in southwestern New England. This event was not as widespread as the August storms, but record flood levels were achieved in some locations of the Housatonic and Hudson River basins. The tropical season has been fairly quiet thus far, but things usually stir in late August and September. Tropical Storm Irene (2011) and Hurricane Gloria (1985) are two recent examples.

Paul

"Dog Days of Summer" Officially End Today

The Dog Days of Summer officially come to an end today. In case you’re wondering, the "dog days" last for 40 days, from July 3 to August 11. They are directly related to the brightest star in the night sky, Sirius, in the constellation Canis Major, or the big dog. Sirius is known as the Dog Star, and we see it clearly illuminating the night sky from early Autumn through early Spring.

However, during this time of the year, Sirius rises and sets with the Sun. During late July, Sirius is in “conjunction” with the Sun, and the ancients believed that its heat added to the heat of the Sun, creating a stretch of very hot, humid, and sultry weather. Actually, the conjunction of Sirius with the Sun varies slightly with latitude, and a gradual drifting of the constellations over time means that they are not in exactly the same place in the sky as they were in ancient Rome.

Although this is typically the warmest time of the year in southwestern Connecticut, the added heat is not due to the added radiation of a far-away star, regardless of how bright it is. The heat of Summertime in the Northern Hemisphere is a direct result of the Earth’s 23.5 degree tilt on its axis. Today's normal high temperature is 82 degrees, just one degree shy of the normal high for late July.

Paul

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Fairfield & New Haven Counties Through This Evening

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Farirfield and New Haven counties until 8 p.m. EDT: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) August 8, 2026 at 3:09 PM

Paul

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Fairfield County Through This Evening

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Fairfield County until 9 p.m. EDT: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) August 7, 2026 at 3:40 PM

Paul

Heat Advisory Issued for Fairfield & New Haven Counties

A Heat Advisory will be in effect for Fairfield and New Haven counties from Thursday at 11 a.m. until Friday at 8 p.m. EDT: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) August 5, 2026 at 3:38 PM

Paul

Weather Affects Mood

How do you feel when the weather turns hot and humid? Tired? Lethargic? Sleepy? What about the heavy rainstorms we've experienced over the past month? Does it affect your mood? The heat, humidity, and seemingly-constant rain may affect you more than you think. If you feel "out of it," you're probably not alone. 

According to the Web site Science Daily, “The positive impact warm, sunny weather can have on mental health and mood are real,” are the findings of a University of Michigan study. “It should not be surprising that weather and seasons affect human behavior, given that humans have evolved with seasonal and weather changes since the dawn of the species.” 

Researchers found that pleasant weather improves mood, memory, broadens our creative ability and our openness to new information. “Being outside in pleasant weather really offers a way to re-set your mindset,” said Matthew Keller, the University of Michigan post-doctoral researcher who led the weather-related psychological study. “We found two important variables: how much time you spend outside and what the season is.” 

Ten mood variables were related to eight weather variables in a multidimensional study on weather according to pubmed.org. Data was collected for 23 male subjects over 11 consecutive days. Mood variables included concentration, depression, sleepiness, optimism, and skepticism. The weather variables included hours of sunshine, precipitation, and temperature. “Humidity, temperature, and hours of sunshine had the greatest effect on mood,” the study found. 

“High levels of humidity lowerered scores on concentration while increasing reports of sleepiness. Humidity was the most significant predictor in regression.” Our humidity was especially high yesterday. Were you feeling tired or having trouble concentrating? 

The study adds that the implications for school and work performance are critical, and it highlights the importance of humidity as a weather variable. I am sure the extremely high humidity and recent rains have played major roles in the way we feel.

Paul

Heavy Rain Christens August & Follows Soggy July

Here are the latest rainfall totals from across southwestern Connecticut as of Monday evening:

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) August 4, 2026 at 2:12 AM

Paul

Bridgeport Climate Station Measures More Than One Foot of Rain for July; Nearly Sets Record for the Month

The Bridgeport climate station measured 12.33" of precipitation this month, which is approximately one-half inch short of the July record of 12.84" set in 1971. Last July featured only 1.15" of precipitation.

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) July 31, 2026 at 12:26 PM

Paul

Heavy Rain Pushes Monthy Precipitation Total to Nearly One Foot at Bridgeport Climate Station

The second heavy rainstorm in one week delivered more than one month's worth of precipiation to several communities across southwestern Connecticut Wednesday. 

According to National Weather Service reports, Fairfield received the most amount of rain from the storm, with more than three-and-a-half inches (3.61") through early Wednesday morning.

However, heavy showers and thunderstorms continued through much of the day into Wednesday night, producing up to one inch of additional rain. 

Shelton (2.89"), Westport (2.87"), Stamford (2.64"), and Newtown (2.57") measured more than two-and-a-half inches of rain.

Most municipalities across southwestern Connecticut reported between one-and-a-half and three inches by Wednesday morning.

The Bridgeport climate station recorded nearly three inches (2.90") for the day, bringing the monthly total (11.93") to just about one foot, which is nearly four times the normal climatological average (3.06") through July 29.

Paul

Flood Watch Issued for Fairfield and New Haven Counties Through Wednesday

Two-to-four inches of precipitation are expected across southwestern Connectiut through Thursday at 8 p.m. EDT.

[image or embed]

— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) July 28, 2026 at 3:22 PM

Paul

Full Buck Moon Occurs This Wednesday, July 29, at 10:36 a.m. EDT

The Full Buck Moon occurs this Wednesday, July 29, at 10:36 a.m. EDT. Named for the Summer regrowth of deer and elk antlers shed in the Winter, this month’s Full Moon is also called the Thunder Moon, Hay Moon, Mead Moon, and the Rose Moon. 

July is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer rush out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. It was also often called the Full Thunder Moon since thunderstorms are common during this time of the year. 

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. 

A Full Moon rises at about the same time the Sun is setting. The Full Moon will rise later and set earlier this time of the year. In addition, the Full Moon will appear lower in the sky since it won’t be visible nearly as long as during the mid-Winter nights. The Moon will be visible for about nine hours and 45 minutes. 

Conversely, six months from now in January when the amount of daylight is at a minimum, the Full Wolf Moon will appear higher in the sky and be visible for about 17-and-half-hours. That’s over eight hours longer than this time of the year! 

Paul

A Summer Reality Check

Believe it or not, the days are indeed getting "shorter." In fact, we have lost exactly 40 minutes of daylight since the first day of Summer. Sunrise on June 21 happened at 5:19 a.m. EDT. This morning's sunrise was at 5:44 a.m., 25 minutes later. Sunset is now at 8:16 p.m., 15 minutes before the latest sunset, at 8:31 p.m., in late June.

By the end of the month, sunrise occurs at 5:47 a.m., while the Sun sets at 8:10 p.m.. Two weeks later, by mid-August, the shorter days become even more pronounced, with sunrise and sunset times at 6:02 a.m. and 7:51 p.m., respectively. 

The "shorter" days have to do with the Earth's revolution around the Sun and the 23.5 degree tilt on its axis. By the end of September, the Autumnal Equinox begins a six-month period of "longer nights" and "shorter days" in the Northern Hemisphere.

Paul