2 People Killed During Powerful Storm, Tornado Reported In CT

As of 7 p.m. Tuesday the National Weather Service lifted all of its weather advisories and warnings for Connecticut, which thankfully means the worst of the storm has moved on. But what it left in its wake is significant destruction as more than 100,000 residents are without power, plane and train service was briefly halted, and numerous trees were uprooted destroying several houses and cars in Connecticut.

Two people were killed and another seriously injured during Tuesday's storm. (See related: 1 Killed, 1 Seriously Injured During Powerful Storm and Person Killed After Tree Falls On Car In New Fairfield). Weather officials also say a tornado was reported in the Oxford and Southbury areas.

Connecticut could see some light showers tonight and there is a chance for more rain showers on Wednesday before we dry out on Thursday.

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Tornado Warnings were issued for several sections of the state Thursday afternoon including parts of Litchfield, Hartford, Fairfield, New Haven, and Middlesex counties as a powerful storm caused havoc throughout Connecticut. The good news is that the Tornado Warnings have all expired and several Thunderstorm Warnings have also been lifted.

The evening commute home was a mess for many residents who were stranded on trains or the roads. The Metro-North New Haven Line was temporarily shut down due to the storm. It is back to limited service as of 6:30 p.m. with delays up to 60 minutes. Grand Central is limited to 42nd St. entrances.

See related: Connecticut Thunderstorm Power Outages Top 120k

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ORIGINAL STORY: The National Weather Service has just issued a Tornado Warning for Northwestern Litchfield County and residents there are urged to take cover now. The weather service says up until 3:30 p.m. the tornado could produce tennis ball size hail and "flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely."

The weather service urges residents there to take cover now. A Tornado Watch remains in effect for the rest of Litchfield County until 8 p.m.

As for the rest of us a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for all of Southern Connecticut from now until 11 p.m. The big change from this morning is that the watch has been added and the time has been extended up until 11 p.m.

A Tornado Watch has also been issued for Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties up until 9 p.m. tonight. The National Weather Service says that the Severe Thunderstorm Watch means there is a chance for lime size hail, wind gusts up to 80 mph, and a chance of a tornado.

CT State Police‏ said "With the potential for strong winds, downpours and reduced visibility starting this afternoon, use extra caution when driving. Turn on windshield wipers AND headlights, reduce speed, increase following distance and avoid collected water on travel lanes and shoulders."

In an hour-by-hour forecast, NBC Connecticut projects that the worst of the storm will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The chance for severe thunderstorms across Connecticut this afternoon and evening are increasing, according to the National Weather Service. The timeline of the worst of the weather is expected after 2 p.m. and up until around 8 p.m. tonight. There could be severe thunderstorms, gusty wind, hail, heavy rain, and a tornado can't be ruled out either, the weather service says.

New advisories have been issued by the weather service this morning.

Southern Connecticut: There is the possibility of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, with the main threat damaging wind gusts and possibly large hail. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out as well, mainly north and west of New York City. In addition, locally heavy rainfall is possible with any stronger convection. While the main threat is for minor flooding of urban and poor drainage areas, there is a small chance for localized flash flooding.

Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties: Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening, roughly between 2 and 9 pm. The area of greatest concern is across western and central Massachusetts into northern Connecticut, but can not rule out across the rest of the region.

The primary threat with any severe thunderstorms will be damaging straight line wind gusts. However, isolated large hail along with heavy rain/street flooding is also a concern. Lastly, there is a low risk of an isolated tornado across western/central MA and northern Connecticut.

Litchfield County: There is a chance of thunderstorms today. Some of these storms may be severe, mainly between the hours of Noon and 7 pm. The main threats will be damaging wind and large hail. An isolated tornado is also possible.

Thunderstorms will generally track from the west, toward the east, at 35 to 45 mph. In addition, torrential downpours will be possible within thunderstorms. This may lead to minor flooding of poor drainage, urban and low lying areas.

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Here is the updated stormy forecast for Southern Connecticut:

Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 5pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Increasing clouds, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 5 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a chance of showers. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 59. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 63. Northeast wind around 8 mph.

Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 53. East wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Here is the stormy weather forecast for Northern Connecticut:

Today: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 4pm and 5pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers between 10pm and 11pm. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. Low around 57. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers between 9am and 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

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