Hurricane, Tropical Storm Watch Issued For Southern Connecticut

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT — The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane watch and a tropical storm watch for the coastal sections of Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London County.

A hazardous weather outlook has been issued for the interior sections of southern Connecticut due to the expected impacts of Tropical Storm Henri. Connecticut and New England are expected to incur significant impacts on Sunday and Monday and the powerful storm has shifted slightly to the west which brings it potentially closer to Connecticut.

Tropical Storm Henri is currently due east of the South Carolina coastline Friday morning and will likely track north nearing eastern Long Island and into southern New England Sunday, the weather service said Friday morning.

"The main threats from Henri are heavy rain capable of producing flash flooding, tropical storm force winds along the south shore and east end of Long Island and across southeast Connecticut, and associated marine and coastal hazards, including very rough seas and dangerous rip currents.

"A widespread rainfall of 1 to 3 inches is forecast with the potential of 2 to 4 inches locally higher amounts are possible Saturday through Sunday evening. The highest amounts are forecast to be across eastern Long Island and much of southeastern Connecticut. This will present a likelihood for scattered areas of flash flooding, particularly for areas that could see heavy rain Saturday leading into Sunday."

"...Tropical storm force winds will be most likely in those areas, near the south shores and east end of Long Island and southeast Connecticut, and in some higher elevations away from the coastline. Dangerous rip currents and high surf are expected along the ocean beaches of Long Island beginning Friday."

WTNH News 8 chief meteorologist Gil Simmons said the "future hurricane looks like it wants to track a lot closer to Connecticut for Sunday! ... We could be looking at hurricane conditions developing between 3 AM and 8 AM Sunday morning and going all the way into Sunday night! Now is the time to review your plan!"

Here are the current weather statements by the National Weather Service:

Southern New Haven County:

A hurricane and storm surge watch is in effect. A Hurricane Watch means hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours

A Storm Surge Watch means life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, is possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours.

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
- Milford
- New Haven
- Guilford

Southern New London County:

A hurricane and storm surge watch is in effect. A Hurricane Watch means hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours. A Storm Surge Watch means life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, is possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
- Old Lyme
- Groton
- Mystic

Southern Middlesex County:

A hurricane and storm surge watch is in effect. A Hurricane Watch means hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours. A Storm Surge Watch means life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, is possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
- Clinton
- Old Saybrook
- Essex

Southern Fairfield County:

A tropical storm and storm surge watch have been issued for southern Fairfield County. A Storm Surge Watch means life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, is possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours

A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
- Stamford
- Norwalk
- Bridgeport

Coastal areas for forecast details

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming northwest around 6 mph in the morning.

Tonight: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Tropical storm conditions possible, with hurricane conditions also possible. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday: Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Sunday Night: Tropical storm conditions possible. A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Monday: Tropical storm conditions possible. A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.

Inland sections of southern Connecticut forecast details

Today: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming northwest around 6 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Tropical storm conditions possible. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday: Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Sunday Night: Tropical storm conditions possible. A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Monday: Tropical storm conditions possible. A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 80.