Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued For Southern Connecticut

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT — The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for southern Connecticut until 4 p.m. Thursday. The southern part of the state can expect heavy rain, strong thunderstorms and possibly hail.

In a 1:45 p.m. update the weather service said that a "line of strong thunderstorms will affect New New London and north central New Haven and Middlesex counties."

"At 141 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Durham to near Fishers Island. Movement was northeast at 70 mph. Winds in excess of 45 mph are possible with these storms.

"Locations impacted include...Meriden, Middletown, Wallingford, Norwich, New London, Colchester, East Hampton, Groton, Old Saybrook, Durham, Salem, Chester, Mystic, Hartford and Cheshire."

"Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle," the weather service said.

There have already been several reports of lightning and hail along the Connecticut shoreline and Middlesex County was already clobbered by hail and thunder and lightning earlier this afternoon.

The weather service issued a wind advisory until 8 p.m. for the southern half of the state. Winds could gust up to 45 mph.

Tree limbs could be blown down and power outages are possible, the weather service said.

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Here are details from the National Weather Service on the thunderstorms:

This Afternoon
Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce small hail and gusty winds. High near 58. Breezy, with a south wind 18 to 20 mph becoming southwest. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 37. West wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.

Friday
A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Sunny through mid morning, then becoming mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph.

Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. West wind 10 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 51. West wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 37.

Sunday
Increasing clouds, with a high near 56.