Timeline Of When Rain, Storms Expected Today: CT Weather

CONNECTICUT — Weather conditions are expected to change rapidly today in Connecticut. The day starts out beautiful with an abundance of sunshine and after 3 p.m. rain and possibly thunderstorms are expected up until around 7 p.m. Some areas may see a brief downpour as the rain showers move through.

A cold front is the reason for the quick-changing weather and once the front moves past us we'll notice temperatures dropping significantly. Temps will rise into the 80s again by this afternoon and at night temps may fall back into the low 50s.

The good news is that this front will usher in beautiful weather for Friday and the weekend as we can expect sunny skies and temps in the low to mid 70s.

The National Weather Service says, "A cold front will approach from the west during today. A south to southwest wind ahead of the front will have temperatures climb above normal once again. Daytime highs will be primarily well into the 70s ... As the cold front moves through a line of showers will develop ... An isolated thunderstorm or two cannot be ruled out ... By tonight the cold front will move east of the region as drier and somewhat cooler air moves into the region. Lows will be mainly in the 50s, with some 40s in some outlying areas...

"With high pressure over the region on Friday it will be dry and comfortably warm with temperatures averaging slightly above normal for this time of the year. The above normal temperatures and mostly clear skies will continue into the beginning of the weekend," the weather service concludes.

WTNH News 8 Meteorologist Gil Simmons says, "Beautiful weather through early afternoon today with high temperatures 75 to 80. Take the umbrella! Rain is expected and some thunder between 3 PM and 6 PM. It will change all at once this afternoon! Gorgeous sunny skies and 70s tomorrow. Most of the weekend looks pretty good too!"

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Here is the updated weather forecast for Southern CT:

Today
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 77. Light southwest wind increasing to 8 to 13 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a slight chance of showers between 9pm and 11pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 54. West wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 60. South wind 5 to 7 mph.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Here is the updated weather forecast for Northern Connecticut:

Today
Scattered showers before 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 4pm and 5pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 79. Light south wind increasing to 6 to 11 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight
Scattered showers, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 53. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 74. Light and variable wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night
Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 54. South wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday
Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Saturday Night
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers between midnight and 2am. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. North wind 5 to 7 mph.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Light northeast wind.