Heat Advisory Issued for Friday

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

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) July 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM

Paul

The Weather Affects Our Mood

How do you feel when the weather turns hot and humid? Tired? Lethargic? Sleepy? The blazing heat and humidity 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. 

Paul

Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Fairfield and New Haven Counties Through This Evening

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

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) July 20, 2025 at 3:35 PM

Paul

"Slight" Chance for Severe Thunderstorms Sunday Across Southwestern Connecticut

NOAA's Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a "slight" risk (level two) for severe thunderstorms Sunday across southwestern Connecticut.

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) July 19, 2025 at 4:54 PM

Paul

Today Marks 56th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Launch

Fifty-six years ago today, the launch of the Apollo 11 Saturn V space vehicle took place with astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A.

The launch occurred at 9:32 a.m. EDT. Four days later, Armstrong would become the first human being to set foot on the Moon, and Aldrin soon followed as Collins orbited the Moon.

Let's go back 56 years and watch what happened that day.

  

Paul

Heat Advisory Issued for Southwestern Connecticut

A Heat Advisory will be in effect for Fairfield and New Haven counties from Wednesday at 11 a.m. until Thursday at 10 p.m. EDT: forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...

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— Paul Piorek WICC (@paulpiorekwicc.bsky.social) July 15, 2025 at 4:15 PM

Paul