Scattered showers and thunderstorms, along with oppressive heat, are in the forecast for the Fourth of July, according to meteorologists.
The pattern will be the same today through most of the weekend, then forecasters say we can expect to get relief from the heat and humidity early next week.
An extreme heat warning is in effect through Saturday, July 4, according to the National Weather Service.
The heat indices today and Friday will reach between 100 and 115 degrees, then drop to between 95 and 100 degrees on Independence Day, according to the National Weather Service.
“This level of heat can be deadly for those without adequate cooling and hydration,” the National Weather Service said.
WFSB is calling today through Sunday “First Alert Weather Days” due to the dangerous combination of heat and humidity, and the station says air conditioning is a necessity.
“The heat and humidity peak today and tomorrow as air temperatures reach 95-100+ inland and the mid-90s along the shoreline,” WFSB reports. “Each day, during the afternoon, heat index values could reach between 100 and 110 (if not higher)! We’ll likely even see record-breaking temperatures this afternoon… we’re forecasting 101 for the Hartford Area, which would break the existing record of 99 set in 1966.”
An air quality alert is in effect in southern Connecticut today through 11 p.m. due to ground level ozone.
Daily storms likely
Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are a daily threat through Sunday, particularly in the afternoons and evenings, the National Weather Service said.
It predicts the highest probability for thunderstorms will be coming on Saturday and Sunday.
“Any thunderstorm has the potential to produce strong to damaging wind gusts, large hail and localized flash flooding,” the National Weather Service said.
WFSB predicts today’s risk for thunderstorms is “low” but “tomorrow that risk is higher, especially through the afternoon and evening. Some of these storms could be strong, perhaps even severe.”
For Independence Day, WFSB forecasts isolated storms will be possible in the afternoon.
“Keep an eye out if you’ll be at any events celebrating Independence Day,” WFSB reports. “As we see it now, the risk for storms will increase late Sunday.”
The National Weather Service predicts scattered thunderstorms on Monday too, along with a dip in temperatures to more comfortable levels. The highs on Monday will be in the upper 70s to low 80s, according to the National Weather Service.
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Here are the forecast details for northern Connecticut via the National Weather Service:
Today: Isolated showers between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., then isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 103. Heat index values as high as 114. West wind 5 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 102. Heat index values as high as 111. West wind 5 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. West wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Independence Day: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 10 a.m. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. West wind 6 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Saturday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Light north wind.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Monday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. East wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Here are the forecast details for southern Connecticut via the National Weather Service:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 113. Light west wind becoming southwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 110. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Independence Day: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. West wind 3 to 8 mph.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely after 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
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