Today Marks 16th Anniversary of Warmest Spring Day on Record

Today marks the 16th anniversary of the warmest May day on record. The mercury soared to 97 degrees at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford on Monday, May 20, 1996, nearly 30 degrees higher 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.

It won't be nearly as hot today, but the humidity will be on the rise. After a picture-perfect weekend, some showers can be expected from late-morning through this afternoon with high temperatures in the 60s to close to 70 degrees. Our weather picture will remain unsettled through the next couple of days before we begin to see some improvment by Thursday and Friday. The Memorial Day holiday weekend looks fairly good, too, with the exception of a shower or thunderstorm Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Paul

Second Straight Day of Record Rain Soaked Region One Year Ago

The recent rainy pattern helped close the gap in our rainfall deficit this year, but it pales in comparison to the nearly-week-long stretch of record rain one year ago. There were six straight days of measured rain from May 14 through May 19, 2011, soaking southwestern Connecticut with more than four inches (4.19") of rain in less than a week. An additional half-inch of rain fell over the next five days, bringing the monthly total to more than five-and-a-half inches (5.61").

Officially, nearly two-and-a-half inches (2.35") of rain fell exactly one year ago today --- May 18, 2011 --- at Sikorsky Memorial Airport, marking the second straight day of record rain. Well over an inch (1.26") of rain was measured the previous day, bringing the two-day total to more than three-and-a-half inches. The total amount of rain over the six-day stretch was greater than the normal rainfall (4.03") for the entire month, based on 40+ years of averages.

Take a look at the rain amounts during the week of May 14 through May 19, 2011:

• May 14: 0.45"
• May 15: 0.09"
• May 16: 0.03"
• May 17: 1.26"
• May 18: 2.35"
• May 19: 0.01"

Our weather won't be anything like that the next couple of days. High pressure will dominate through tomorrow bringing mostly sunny skies. Today's highs will reach the lower 70s, while tomorrow's highs will climb into the upper 70s to close to 80 degrees. An ocean storm will eventually bring showers to the region Sunday night through the middle of next week, continuing our recent theme of wet weekdays and dry weekends.

Paul

Recent Rains Put Dent in Yearly Deficit

It seems like yesterday we were quite concerned about a possible long-term drought. Rain totals were running close to a half-foot below normal for the year, and Red Flag Warnings were becoming routine. Lawns were "burning out" in mid April, and we needed rain desperately. Thankfully, Mother Nature responded this month with nearly four inches of rain, bringing the yearly total to over a foot (12.41"), closing the gap to just three-and-a-half inches below normal (15.90").

The weather pattern changed drastically during the latter part of April. A heavy rainstorm on April 22 and 23 brought over two-and-a-half inches (2.55") of rain to the region, bringing the monthly total to just under three inches (2.97"). Although measured rain happened just once the remainder of the month, it seemed we finally turned the corner, even though the April rain gauge was still more than an inch below normal (4.13").

You may recall that March was one of the driest on record. Just over one inch (1.04") of rain fell during what is normally the wettest month of the year. That's more than three inches below the normal average of 4.05" and slightly more than the driest March on record when just 0.69" fell in 1981. Nearly a foot of rain fell two years ago in March of 2010.

There were only nine days with measured rain in March, including the first three days of the month (0.48" combined) and three of the last seven days of the month (0.38" combined). The longest dry spell happened from March 17 through March 24 (eight days) when only a trace of precipitation was recorded. The wettest day of the month was March 3 when over a quarter-inch (0.27") was recorded.

The weather picture in May has been quite wet. In fact, 10 of the first 16 days this month have produced measured rain. The wettest day this month was this past Tuesday when 1.07" fell, establishing a new record for the date. Three other days featured more than a half-inch of rain, and one day saw over a third of an inch. As of today, the total for the month (3.84") is more than two inches above normal (1.83"). The lawns and gardens have responded beautifully.

Another pattern is beginning to establish itself, too. Recently, we've enjoyed fine weekend weather while the rain falls during the week. Yes, that pattern will continue through the upcoming weekend and into next week. High pressure should bring plenty of sunshine and milder temperatures Saturday and Sunday while, at the same time, keep a storm system offshore. However, moisture from that storm will more than likely "back up" and spread showers and thunderstorms into the Northeast Monday and Tuesday of next week.

Paul

Extreme Weather Text Alerts Beneficial to Public

We've certainly had our fair share of extreme and dangerous weather over the last year. Tropical Storm Irene, which hit the region Saturday night, August 27, will long be remembered by residents of southwestern Connecticut for the number of lives it affected. Two months later, the Nor'easter of October 29 and 30, 2011, was one for the record books. The unusual early Autumn storm delivered record-breaking October snow and massive power outages across Connecticut.

Most of us were well-prepared for both events, especially Irene. Generators and sump pumps were in short supply days before the storm hit, and most people were ready for the heavy rain, gusty winds, loss of electricity, and the storm surge along the shoreline. According to Mitch Gross, a spokesman for Connecticut Light and Power, more than 700,000 customers were without power hours after the storm, easily breaking the previous record of 480,000 following Hurricane Gloria in September of 1985.

The October Nor'easter delivered record-breaking October snow and massive power outages across Connecticut. By the time the storm pulled away, over a foot of snow fell across much of Northern Fairfield County, and four inches blanketed Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford. Many trees and tree branches came crashing down due to the weight of the heavy, wet snow, the leaves still on the trees, and the gusty winds. This storm left more than 760,000 customers of Connecticut Light and Power and 9,000 United Illuminating customers in the dark.

Preparation is most important when severe weather is about to strike. That's why I am pleased to know that wireless carriers and the federal government are launching a system to automatically warn people of dangerous weather and other emergencies via a special type of text messaging to cellphones. The Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) service, which begins this month, is free, and consumers won't have to sign up. Warnings will be location-based. If you're traveling, you'll get an alert for whatever emergency is happening where you are.

Alerts will be issued for such life-threatening events as tornadoes, flash floods, hurricanes, typhoons, tsunamis, dust storms, extreme winds, blizzards and ice storms. Private forecasting companies have offered warnings to subscribers before, but this is the first national service by the federal government and the wireless industry. The weather alerts will be used specifically for weather "warnings," not the less-severe weather "watches."

"These text alerts will be very brief, under 90 characters," according to National Weather Service spokeswoman Susan Buchanan, "and are intended to prompt people to immediately seek additional information through the wide range of weather alert communications available to them, such as the Internet, television, radio or NOAA Weather Radio." Buchanan said alerts about very dangerous situations such as tornadoes will give advice such as "seek shelter immediately."

"This is another great way of receiving warnings immediately, just like weather radio and other sources," weather service spokesman Chris Vaccaro said. However, Vaccaro says people should not rely only on mobile devices for weather warnings since they can lose power. He urges using a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio, which has longer-lasting battery backup. I have one in my kitchen, and it's always on during inclement weather.

Modern technology, when used in a responsible and informative way, can be extremely beneficial. This is just one way that modern technology can help us prepare for dangerous or violent weather and potentially save lives. I'd like to know if you will be signing up for the service. After all, you can't beat the price. It's free. I'll be signing up.

Paul

Dogwood Festival Shines on Mother's Day Weekend

Mother's Day weekend is here, and Mother Nature will deliver a gift to us with a fairly nice Sunday under a mix of sun and late-day clouds with high temperatures in the low-to-mid 70s. However, there is a slight chance of a sprinkle or shower late in the day and into the evening. The weekend will get off to a great start, however, with sparkling weather tomorrow. In fact, Saturday will be the first day this month with mostly sunny skies. Daytime high temperatures will climb into the lower 70s by tomorrow afternoon.

Our weekend weather is batting just about .500 this year. Ten of the 19 weekends (53%) have been completely dry, while nine weekends (47%) have seen measured rain. January, February, and March were evenly balanced as far as wet and dry weekends, while April featured three weekends with measured rain. Two of the last four weekends have seen rainy weather in southwestern Connecticut. Here's a look at our weekend weather this year

• January: 2 wet weekends, 3 dry weekends; total weekend rain 0.48"
• February: 2 wet weekends, 2 dry weekends; total weekend rain 0.05"
• March: 2 wet weekends, 2 dry weekends; total weekend rain 0.38"
• April: 3 wet weekends, 2 dry weekends; total weekend rain 2.21"
• May: 0 wet weekends, 1 dry weekend; total weekend rain 0.00"
• Yearly total: 9 wet weekends, 10 dry weekends; total weekend rain 3.12"

The Mother's Day weekend gets off to an early start today as the 77th annual Dogwood Festival begins high atop Greenfield Hill in Fairfield. The event, which is traditionally held on Mother's Day weekend, draws people from all over the Northeast. From its humble beginnings on a card table that displayed handmade aprons and similar items three-quarters of a century ago, the Festival has grown into an event which attracts thousands each year.

Every year, the festival offers an opportunity for all to share the beauty of the historic hill. I've been at Greenfield Hill to provide LIVE weather reports a number of times to promote the Dogwood Festival, and it seems that rain has always been in the forecast just about every year. This year, Mother Nature is promising a fairly nice weekend for Mom. Enjoy it!

Happy Mother's Day!

Paul

Vibrant Spring Colors in Stamford

Hilkka Schulz of Stamford sent the following photos to me which I included on the News 12 Connecticut Facebook page and during our daily newscasts. They have been well-received.

She wrote the following to me.

Dear Paul,

Thank you so much for showing my photograph today. Throughout the day I have received calls from my friends in the area hospitals and doctors' offices telling me how much they liked the fact that a nurse's picture was shown on channel 12. This week is a National Nurses Week and I am also an RN (in addition to being an avid photographer). I am also a solid supporter of channel 12 and everyone who is part of it. Thank you for all you do, Paul.

Sincerely,
Hilkka.