Strong Storm To Bring Heavy Rain, 40 MPH Wind Gusts, Thunderstorms Tonight

CONNECTICUT — It's going to be another interesting storm that includes some snow, heavy rain, strong wind gusts, possible flooding concerns, and thunderstorms.

And like most winter storms thus far this season, snow won't be the star. Though the National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Hartford, Tolland, Windham, Litchfield, and interior sections of Fairfield and New Haven counties, very little snow accumulation is forecast.

Your best bet for decent accumulating snow is in the higher elevations of northern Connecticut, where a few inches of snow is possible before the changeover to plain rain. Most places across the state may see an inch or two of snow and sleet accumulation before the changeover to rain. Areas along the immediate coast will see largely just plain rain.

While the snow may not be significant once again, Connecticut is forecast to receive two inches of rain, 40-50 mph wind gusts and flooding concerns along the coast. And, thunderstorms are also possible late Wednesday.

Here are the latest updates based on where you are via the National Weather Service:

Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties: A winter weather advisory is in effect until 1 a.m.

"Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 4 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze. Highest snow totals along/near the Massachusetts/New Hamphire/Vermont border, with lowest amounts across Connecticut and northwest Rhode Island. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph."

This Afternoon: Snow likely before 5pm, then snow likely, possibly mixed with rain. Cloudy, with a high near 36. Southeast wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Tonight: Rain, possibly mixed with snow, becoming all rain after 9pm. Low around 34. East wind 9 to 14 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of rain before 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Southwest wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Interior sections of Fairfield and New Haven County: A winter weather advisory is in effect midnight.

"Snow and mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.

Tonight: Rain, mainly before 4am. The rain could be heavy at times. Temperature rising to around 50 by 1am. Breezy, with an east wind 13 to 22 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of rain before 7am. Partly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 39 by 5pm. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.

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Litchfield County: A winter weather advisory is in effect until 10 p.m. "Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph."

This Afternoon: Snow. High near 33. East wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Tonight: Snow, freezing rain, and sleet before 10pm, then rain. Temperature rising to around 42 by 3am. East wind 6 to 15 mph becoming south after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. New snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

New London County and coastal sections of Middlesex County: A wind advisory is in effect until 4 a.m. Thursday. "Southeast winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected."

Tonight: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Temperature rising to around 51 by 3am. Windy, with an east wind 20 to 28 mph becoming south after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday: Rain, mainly before 7am. Temperature falling to around 41 by 5pm. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Coastal sections of southern Connecticut: A coastal flood advisory remains in effect from midnight to 5 a.m. Thursday.

Widespread minor flooding is expected in the most vulnerable locations near the waterfront and shoreline. Expect around 1 to 2 feet of inundation above ground level in low lying, vulnerable areas. Some roads and low lying property including parking lots, parks, lawns and homes/businesses with basements near the waterfront will experience shallow flooding.

* SHORELINE IMPACTS...Breaking waves of 2 to 4 ft will result in beach erosion and splashover, and cause locally moderate flooding of shoreline roads with minor damage possible to waterfront structures.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heavy rain during or just before time of high tide will likely exacerbate street flooding in low lying and coastal communities around the time of high tide.

Tonight: Rain, mainly before 4am. The rain could be heavy at times. Temperature rising to around 49 by 1am. Breezy, with an east wind 14 to 24 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of rain before 7am. Partly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 41 by 5pm. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.