High heat and humidity will continue in Connecticut today, and the day also brings a risk for severe thunderstorms, according to meteorologists.
The National Weather Service said there is also a chance for excessive rainfall today.
"The primary threats are damaging wind gusts and isolated flash flooding," the National Weather Service said. "Clusters of storms are expected to move in from the west late afternoon into the evening."
It predicts "pop-up" showers and storms are possible both today and Saturday.
A heat advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. Friday. While high temperatures will hover around 90 today, the humidity will make it seem like it is 100 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. A hazardous weather alert has been issued due to the heat.
The combined heat and humidity today could cause heat-related illnesses, and residents are urged to stay in air conditioning if possible.
An air quality alert also is in effect for southern Fairfield and New Haven counties until 11 p.m. Friday due to ground level ozone.
WFSB is calling today a "First Alert Weather Day." It predicts heat index values today will be in the 95 to 100 range.
"We also see a threat for a few afternoon/evening storms, especially in the western half of the state," WFSB reports. "We'll be monitoring the threat for some heavier rain that could lead to localized poor drainage flooding as well."
The state will get some relief from the excessive heat and humidity starting later this weekend, but it will still be hot, according to forecasters.
On Saturday, temperatures will be around 90 degrees, with heat index values up to 97, and another chance for thunderstorms in the afternoon, the National Weather Service said.
"Otherwise, while still quite muggy, the humidity begins to break a little." WFSB reports.
For Sunday, the National Weather Service is predicting sunny and dry weather with highs in the upper 80s.
"Maximum heat indices from Sunday through Thursday are expected to range mostly from the upper 80s to lower 90s, which would fall below heat advisory levels," the National Weather Service said.
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Here are the forecast details for northern Connecticut via the National Weather Service:
Today: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunny and hot, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 98. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Increasing clouds, with a low around 72. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Heat index values as high as 97. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 9 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 65. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind 3 to 5 mph.
Tuesday: A chance of showers between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Light southwest wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Here are the forecast details for southern Connecticut via the National Weather Service:
Today: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 89. Heat index values as high as 99. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers before 8 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 87. Heat index values as high as 98. Southwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 3 to 6 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 6 to 9 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
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