'Wild' Weather Today In CT: Here's What We Can Expect

CONNECTICUT — When Connecticut's leading meteorologists use the word "wild" in the middle of winter we might think that means snow and wintry weather is on its way. Well in this case the opposite is true. Dangerous wind gusts are expected today in Connecticut along with heavy rain and temps will soar into the 50s this afternoon and then free-fall this evening.

Welcome to February everyone. Fox 61 Chief Meteorologist Rachel Frank says, "New data coming in is still pointing to the risk of some wild strong wind gusts Friday afternoon. Prepare for the possibility of scattered outages/wind damage. The area of greatest concern is the shoreline and southeast CT but we all get some wind."

WTNH News 8 Chief Meteorologist Gil Simmons uses the words "dynamic" and "wild" to describe today's weather.

"A very “dynamic” weather day ahead! Rain this morning & some high elevation ice. Warmer temps later this morning (50s) then some severe gusts arriving 11AM-1PM. 60+mph gusts for shoreline & eastern CT. Colder 30s for PM commute. Wild!"

NBC Connecticut's Bob Maxon adds "We have issued a FIRST ALERT for STRONG, possibly DAMAGING winds this afternoon. Gust to 60 mph are possible. Squally rains around too, that may end as some wet snow in the hills."

So it's safe to say we've all been warned.

Here are the advisories via the National Weather Service:

Southern Middlesex-Southern New London

...HIGH WIND WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM EST THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected.

* WHERE...In Connecticut, Southern Middlesex and Southern New London Counties.

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

"People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive," the weather service says.

Northern Fairfield-Northern New Haven-Northern Middlesex-Northern New London-Southern Fairfield-Southern New Haven-

* WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.

* WHEN...From noon today to 7 PM EST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

Hartford CT-Tolland CT-Windham CT

...WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 10 PM EST THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...West winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

Litchfield County:

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 10 PM EST THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

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Weekend weather forecast for southern Connecticut:

Today
Rain likely, mainly before noon. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. Wind chill values between 30 and 40. Windy, with an east wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west 21 to 26 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. Breezy, with a west wind 14 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 35. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. West wind 11 to 15 mph.

Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 21. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable.

Sunday
A slight chance of snow showers before noon, then a slight chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 40. Light and variable wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday Night
A chance of rain and snow after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday
A chance of rain and snow before 9am, then a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Weekend weather forecast for northern Connecticut:

Today
Rain, mainly before 1pm. High near 47. Breezy, with a light and variable wind becoming west 19 to 24 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tonight
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 23. West wind 7 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 35. West wind 7 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 16. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Sunday
A slight chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 34. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday Night
A chance of snow, mainly after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Monday
A chance of snow before 8am, then a chance of rain and snow between 8am and 10am, then a chance of rain after 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 45. Southwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.