Strong Storm To Produce Significant Impacts In CT: Here's What You Need To Know

CONNECTICUT — Our next significant weather system is expected to impact Connecticut on Thursday evening and continue possibly into Saturday morning. And like most of the prior storms this winter, the precipitation looks to largely be rain as opposed to snow.

The WFSB 3 TV weather team has declared an "Early Warning Weather *Alert*" in anticipation of the upcoming storm system.

"Our sky becomes cloudy Thursday as our next storm system heads our way," wrote WFSB 3 TV Chief Meteorologist Mark Dixon with Scot Haney. "Expect scattered showers to become likely from the afternoon into the evening hours. Like most this winter season so far, the storm’s track will bring primarily rain to Connecticut as it heads to our northwest (putting CT on its milder side).

"The rain coverage and intensity ramp up Thursday night, becoming heavier with a gusty wind into Friday. Because of this, we’ve declared an Early Warning Weather *Alert* as heavy rain could lead to poor visibility and ponding (a concern for hydroplaning), also wind gusts 20-30 mph. We’ll also end the week on a mild note, temps Friday top 50°! As the system exits that night into early Saturday, with colder air arriving, we could see rain end as a mix or snow (but nothing impactful)," the WFSB 3 weather team wrote. (You can watch full details of their weather forecast here).

Accuweather.com said, "This will be a rainstorm for the I-95 corridor Thursday night into early Friday with gusty winds. The combination of rain and wind can lead to many travel problems on the roads and delays at airports, added Accuweather.com. (Read more forecast details at Accuweather.com).

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National Weather Service's storm forecast details for southern Connecticut

The weather service said, "this looks to be a mainly rain event for the entire forecast area." Light rain should be falling by the evening commute and interior sections of Fairfield and Middlesex County could briefly start off with some snow and rain mix, the weather service said.

The rain will be at its heaviest Friday morning, and minor flooding is also a concern.

"There is also potential for a brief period of strong winds just ahead of, and behind the cold front early Friday am, the strongest of which should remain over eastern Long Island, southern CT and the ocean waters," the weather service said.

The rain may end as some light snow, especially in eastern sections of southern Connecticut, the weather service said, but no accumulation of snow is expected.

National Weather Service's storm forecast details for northern Connecticut

"A storm system will bring a soaking rain and potential for strong winds to the region late Thursday into Friday," the weather service said.

"The peak of the moderate to heavy rain showers comes Thursday night into early Friday morning..." the weather serviced added.

Up to 1.5 inches of rain is forecast. It's possible the rain showers could continue into Saturday morning.

Upcoming holiday weekend

Rain showers will end Saturday morning and Sunday and Martin Luther King Jr. Day look sunny, dry and with temperatures into the low 40s.

No snowstorms are in the forecast through at least next Monday.