Connecticut Weather: Nor'easter Leads to Watches, Warnings

We're less than 24 hours away from the arrival of a powerful Nor'easter that will bring heavy rain, strong wind gusts, flooding concerns, and a chance for accumulating snow, especially in northern sections of the state.

The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Watch for Fairfield, New Haven and Middlesex counties. A High Wind Warning is in effect for New London County. A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect for the coast of Fairfield and New Haven counties. A Flood Watch is in effect for the entire state. (See below for a complete description of the advisories/watches issued in your area and what to expect.)

Generally speaking, Connecticut will see 1 to 3 inches of rain from the storm Friday, winds approaching 40 mph and northern sections of the state could see anywhere from 2 to 5 inches of snow. For Southern Connecticut, a slushy accumulation of 1 to 2 inches of snow is possible once the heavy rain moves on.

Fox 61 Meteorologist Matt Scott offers his updated snow and rain estimate for Connecticut.

NBC Connecticut Ryan Hanrahan depicts the power of the storm via the latest computer models and graphs.

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Flood Watch remains in effect from Friday morning through late Friday night for Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties:

The Flood Watch continues for * All of southern Connecticut

* From Friday morning through late Friday night

* A deepening coastal low late Thursday night into Friday will bring heavy rain across the area, with the potential for 2 to 3 inches of rainfall. Heavier bands could produce localized higher amounts.

* Smaller rivers and streams across the area will be most vulnerable to the possibility of flooding. In addition, poor drainage urban flooding is possible and may be enhanced by the effects of coastal flooding.

High Wind Watch remains in effect from Friday morning through late Friday night for Fairfield, New Haven and Middlesex counties.

The National Weather Service says:

* WINDS...North 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

* TIMING...Strongest winds from Friday afternoon through Friday night.

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds will be capable of downing trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Limited visibilities will make travel difficult.

...Minor to Locally Moderate Coastal Flooding Expected Friday Morning...

...Several Tidal Cycles of Widespread Minor to Moderate Coastal Flooding possible Friday Night through Saturday Night...

...Areas of Dune Erosion and Localized Washovers Possible along the Atlantic Ocean Beachfront Saturday into Monday...

Coastal Flood Advisory for immediate coast of Fairfield and New Haven counties:

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 1 PM EST FRIDAY...

* TIDAL DEPARTURE...1 1/2 to 2 1/2 ft on Friday.

* TIMING...During times of high tide Friday morning.

* COASTAL FLOOD IMPACTS...Shallow 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.

* UNCERTAINTY...There is currently low to moderate confidence on the magnitude of coastal flooding Friday Night, but potential remains for minor coastal flooding. Moderate confidence continues in potential for minor to locally moderate coastal flooding during the times of high tide Saturday.

High Wind Warning for New London County:

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM FRIDAY TO 6 AM EST SATURDAY...

* WINDS...North 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph.

* TIMING...Strongest winds from Friday afternoon through Friday night.

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds will be capable of downing trees and power lines. Power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Limited visibilities will make travel difficult.

Hartford and Tolland counties: FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING

* Rainfall of 1 to 3 inches, with locally up to 4 inches in Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts, may produce flooding of rivers, streams, and urban areas.

Litchfield County: FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING

* A large storm will develop off the east coast tonight through Friday. Rain will develop tonight and continue into Friday night, heavy at times. The rain could mix with snow, especially over higher terrain of the southern Taconics and Litchfield Hills, but rainfall totals of around 2 inches are possible.

* Rain will produce significant rises on streams, creeks and rivers. If a persistent band of heavy rain develops over the area some flooding will be possible.