Issued: Thursday, July 31 | Valid: 2 PM Today โ 8 AM Friday
Aย Flood Watchย has been issued for our area starting this afternoon and continuing through early Friday morning. If you’re in Connecticut, especially in low-lying or flood-prone areas, here’s what you need to know to stay safe and prepared.
๐ย Whatโs Happening?
A slow-movingย frontal boundaryย is sagging south through the region and is expected to stall just to our south later today. At the same time, aย frontal waveย will develop near the Delmarva Peninsula and track eastward, bringing with it a surge ofย moisture-rich airย andย instability.
๐ง๏ธย Rainfall Forecast
- Widespread rainfall totalsย ofย 1.5 to 3 inchesย are expected.
- Localized amountsย could reach up toย 5 inches.
- Rainfall ratesย may exceedย 2 inches per hour, especially in southern areas like Long Island and parts of NYC, but Connecticut could still see intense downpours.
โกย Storm Dynamics
- Instabilityย (MUCAPE values of 1,000โ2,000 J/kg) will be higher to the south, butย strong wind shearย (50โ70 kt) across the region meansย convection is possible anywhere, including Connecticut.
- Tall, skinny CAPE profilesย andย precipitable water values (PWATs)ย of 2โ2.5 inches suggest highly efficient rainfall processesโmeaning storms could dump a lot of rain in a short time.
๐ฌ๏ธย Winds
- Aย low-level jet (LLJ)ย of 30โ40 kt may enhance winds late Thursday into the night.
- Expectย gusts of 25 to 35 mph, especially along the coast and higher elevations.
๐ย Timing
- Heaviest rainย is expected betweenย 2 PM and midnightย today.
- Rain willย taper off from northwest to southeastย overnight into early Friday.
- Lingering showersย may persist into Friday morning, but the threat of flooding will gradually diminish.
๐จย What You Should Do
- Stay weather-aware: Monitor local alerts and forecasts.
- Avoid flooded roads: โTurn around, donโt drown.โ
- Secure outdoor items: Gusty winds could knock things over.
- Prepare for power outages: Especially in areas prone to tree damage.
