Severe Weather Expected For CT Friday: Timeline, Details Released

CONNECTICUT — The weather on Saturday may be the best spring day of 2020 with bright sunshine and temps into the 70s. It will be a beautiful weather day and Sunday's forecast is also improving with partly sunny skies and temps a bit cooler, around 60 degrees.

But before we get to the weekend we need to deal with the potential for some severe weather on Friday evening. Connecticut could see heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail, and there is even a remote chance of a tornado.

Rain showers will move in during the overnight hours and an isolated storm or two is possible and the showers should end Friday morning before the real drama unfolds Friday afternoon and evening.

"A cold front will approach by the afternoon, allowing for showers and thunderstorms to move back into the area and continue into Friday night," the National Weather Service said. "Some thunderstorms may be strong to severe, with damaging winds being the primary threat. The best chances for seeing a severe thunderstorm will be well inland."

"Temperatures will soar to above normal on Friday, with highs in the 70s to lower 80s ... Coastal areas will remain in the 60s to lower 70s thanks to onshore flow."

Fairfield and New Haven County are listed under the "enhanced risk for severe weather," according to the weather service, while Middlesex and New London County are under a "slight risk" for severe weather.

"The greatest threat with these storms will be the potential for damaging winds, small hail and an isolated tornado. Storms will weaken as they move eastward due to the marine influence and loss of daytime heating, however an isolated strong to severe storm cannot be ruled out," the weather service said.

Specifically concerning northern sections of Connecticut, the weather service said "A warm front brings a period of showers very late tonight, but they will be ending by early to mid-morning Friday. A warmer and more humid air mass overspreads the region on Friday, followed by showers and thunderstorms late Friday afternoon and evening along with the likelihood of some severe weather."

Connecticut's weather experts weigh in

NBC CT Chief Meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan said on social media that "Still plenty of questions with tomorrow's storm threat - especially the location and timing of strongest storms. Time of the threat is generally 4 p.m.-10 p.m. and the greatest risk is NW of I-84."

Fox 61 Chief Meteorologist Rachel Frank said, "The Storm Prediction Center is bullish for severe weather on Friday. We rarely fall into the "enhanced" category, especially not the day before. Damaging winds the main concern but hail, heavy rain and even a tornado possible if everything comes together. Hopefully not."

WTNH-News 8 Meteorologist Ashley Baylor said "The @NWSSPC has increased the threat of severe storms tomorrow evening. Strong winds and hail will be the primary threats, but we can't rule out an isolated tornado."

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Here is the updated weather forecast for southern Connecticut:

Tonight: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind 5 to 9 mph becoming light southeast in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: A chance of showers before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 5 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 3am, then a slight chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind 7 to 9 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. East wind 7 to 9 mph.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61.

Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Here is the updated weather forecast for northern Connecticut:

Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Patchy fog between 4am and 5am. Low around 53. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1pm, then a slight chance of showers between 1pm and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 79. South wind 3 to 8 mph. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1am, then a chance of showers. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. West wind 5 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the morning.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Calm wind.

Sunday: A chance of showers, mainly after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 49. Light east wind. Chance of precipitation is 50%.