Southern Connecticut Under Tropical Storm Watch As Isaias Looms

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT — The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm watch in advance of Tropical Storm Isaias' expected impact on Connecticut Tuesday into Wednesday.

A tornado watch remains in effect for Fairfield, New Haven and Middlesex County until 10 p.m. Sunday.

Isaias is expected to track over the state Tuesday and there is a 30-40 percent chance of "tropical storm force winds" most likely beginning Tuesday evening, but it could start as early as late Tueday morning/early afternoon, the weather service said. A total of two to four inches of rain is forecast.

At 5 p.m. Sunday, Tropical Storm Isaias was located 65 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida, or about 410 miles south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and is moving north northwest at 9 mph, the weather service said. Isaias has strengthened a little with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, the weather service said.

"Right now the period of the heaviest rain is slated for late Tuesday morning into Tuesday afternoon and evening across much of the region," the National Weather Service said.

Eastern parts of Connecticut will see the more moderate to heavy rain later in the day on Tuesday.

"The current thinking is a wide swath for the potential of a 2 to 4 inch rainfall across the area with locally higher amounts of around 5 inches possible, with the eventually storm track ultimately deciding where the axis of heaviest rainfall sets up," the weather service said.

The strongest wind threat is expected along eastern Connecticut and the "timing for this looks to be during late in the day on Tuesday and into Tuesday evening."

"One positive note is the storm is expected to accelerate to the north and northeast into Tuesday and Tuesday night. This may limit the duration of impactful winds to some extent for coastal sections. The preliminary guidance is suggesting the strongest winds may get up to 45 mph sustained along the immediate coast near the center of circulation, with perhaps gusts to around 60 mph or thereabouts across southern coastal sections of New York City, Long Island, and potentially coastal Connecticut into Tuesday evening.

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Here are the advisories based on where you live, as reported by the National Weather Service. Most of the weather statements are similar across the board but there are some minor changes concerning peak winds and peak rainfall amounts.

Fairfield County coast:

• Peak winds will be 35-45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Tuesday afternoon until early Wednesday morning. Prepare for limited wind damage including many large tree limbs broken off, and debris on roads and some fences and signs blown over
• Localized storm surge possible. Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for up to 2 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas. Window of concern: Tuesday afternoon until early Wednesday morning
• Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts and emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible.
• Tornado Watch is in effect. Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes

Inland sections of Fairfield County:

• Peak Wind Forecast: 35-45 mph with gusts to 60 mph. Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Tuesday afternoon until early Wednesday morning. Prepare for limited wind damage including many large tree limbs broken off and minor damage to porches and awnings.
• Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for up to 2 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas. Window of concern: Tuesday afternoon until early Wednesday morning
• Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 3-6 inches, with locally higher amounts and emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible.
• Tornado Watch is in effect. Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes

New Haven County coast:

• Peak Wind Forecast: 35-45 mph with gusts to 60 mph. Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Tuesday afternoon until early Wednesday morning. Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds ... Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over.
• Localized storm surge possible. Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for up to 2 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas. Window of concern: Tuesday afternoon until early Wednesday morning
• Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 1-3 inches, with locally higher amounts. Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible.
• Tornado Watch is in effect. Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes

Inland sections of New Haven County:

• Peak Wind Forecast: 35-45 mph with gusts to 60 mph. Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Tuesday afternoon until early Wednesday morning. Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes .... Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Localized storm surge possible
• Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for up to 2 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas. Window of concern: Tuesday afternoon until early Wednesday morning
• Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts. Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible.
• Tornado Watch is in effect. Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes

Inland sections of Middlesex County

• Peak Wind Forecast: 35-45 mph with gusts to 60 mph. Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Tuesday afternoon until early Wednesday morning. Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds .... Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over.
• Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for up to 2 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas. Window of concern: Tuesday afternoon until early Wednesday morning
• Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts. Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible.
• Tornado Watch is in effect. Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes

Middlesex County coast:

• Peak Wind Forecast: 35-45 mph with gusts to 60 mph. Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Tuesday afternoon until early Wednesday morning. Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds ... Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over.
• Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for up to 2 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas. Window of concern: Tuesday afternoon until early Wednesday morning
• Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 1-3 inches, with locally higher amounts. Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible.
• Tornado Watch is in effect. Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes

New London County

• Peak Wind Forecast: 35-45 mph with gusts to 60 mph. Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Tuesday afternoon until early Wednesday morning. Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. ... Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over.
• Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for up to 2 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas. Window of concern: Tuesday afternoon until early Wednesday morning
• Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 1-3 inches, with locally higher amounts. Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible.
• Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes