NWS Announces Flash Flood and Severe Thunderstorm Watches, Heat Advisory for Today
Flash Flood Watch: active until Sunday, 6:00 AM
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to impact the area ahead of a slow moving cold front. The rain will fall across areas with abnormally wet antecedent conditions due to recent heavy rain, leading to an increased potential for flash flooding.Severe Thunderstorm Watch: active until Saturday, 11:00 PM
Heat Advisory: active until Saturday, 7:00 PM
Morning Weather Report
Today
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 97. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph.
Tonight
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tomorrow
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tomorrow Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Storm Report: Westport Prepares for Tropical Storm Elsa
Editor’s Take
Tropical Storm Elsa will reach the area during the overnight hours. Heavier bands of rain are forecasted to begin just after midnight and last through noon tomorrow, with chances of rain continuing through midnight Saturday morning. Winds are forecast to be strongest between 5 and 10 tomorrow morning, with gusts of 30 mph or more possible. Elsa has produced tornadoes in most southeastern states as it makes its way north, so tornado activity and water spouts are possible. Lighting is a threat throughout the night and into tomorrow, with several lighting strikes hitting Westport Thursday afternoon.
Click here to expand full storm report.
Residents are urged to stay off of the roadways for the morning hours, keep devices charged with batteries nearby, and to assure that all outdoor furniture and decorations are properly secured. The heat index for tomorrow afternoon will reach 90 degrees, so keeping homes cool and keeping window shades drawn and doors/windows closed may assist in keeping homes cool in the event of power outages.
Boat owners are urged to check that all bimini and fabric tops are closed and secured, all deck items - pillows, PFDs, or other items - are stowed away, and that bilge pumps are working. With forecasts predicting 2”-3” of rain, bilge pumps will be running more than usual, and could cause batteries to die, turning the pumps off and putting boats at risk of flooding. Checking on your vessel before and after the storm will prove important.
Children who have been sent away to summer camps are urged to worry about nothing, as they shouldn’t have much electricity and technology anyways.
Local Closures and Cancellations:
Town of Westport Public School programs, such as Extended School Year and Continuing Education programming.
Town of Westport Parks & Recreation summer camps and activities
Town of Westport Center for Senior Activities programs and activities. Meal deliveries will be on a two hour delay.
All roads passable at 7:00 PM Thursday
Active Weather Warnings, Advisories, and Watches:
Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Effective until 9:00 PM Thursday.
Flood Advisory: Effective until 9:15 PM Thursday.
Flash Flood Watch: Effective until Noon Friday.
From the National Weather Service, NYC: Tropical Storm Elsa will move toward the area this evening passing near or over the Mid Atlantic coast late tonight, and near or over eastern Long Island and southeast New England on Friday morning. The main threats from Elsa are heavy rain capable of producing flash flooding, tropical storm force winds especially along the south shore 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 2 to 4 inches with locally higher amounts is forecast from this evening into Friday. The highest amounts are forecast to be from NYC to the north and west. Dangerous marine conditions should also develop on the ocean waters south of Long Island, as well as on Long Island Sound, and the south shore and eastern bays of Long Island. Tropical storm force winds will be most likely in those areas, near the south shores of Long Island and southeast Connecticut, and in some higher elevations away from the coastline. Dangerous rip currents will likely occur along the ocean beaches of Long Island.
Numbers to Know:
Emergency: 911
Eversource: Report a power outage: text “OUT” to 23129; call 800-286-2000; online www.eversource.com/CustomerCare/ReportOutage.
Westport Police: Non-Emergency: 203-341-6000
Westport Fire Department: Non-Emergency: 203-341-5000
Westport Public Schools: Emergency Line: 203-341-1766
Westport Department of Human Services: Social Services: 203-341-1050
Morning Weather Report: Nearly 100 Degrees Forecasted; Heat Advisory Begins at 11:00 AM
Today
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 99. Southwest wind 7 to 13 mph.
Tonight
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Tomorrow
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 97. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
Tomorrow Night
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Click Here to View Heat Advisory & Precaution Details [11:00 AM Tuesday - 8:00 PM Wednesday]
Heat index values between 95 and 98 degrees expected.
Affecting Southern Fairfield County.
High temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur.
The highest index values will occur during the afternoon and early evening hours - between 1 and 5 PM.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS.
A Heat Advisory is issued when the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel like it is 95 to 99 degrees for two or more consecutive days, or 100 to 104 degrees for any length of time.
Seniors and those with chronic health problems or mental health conditions are at an increased risk.
Homes without air conditioning can be much hotter than outdoor temperatures. Use air conditioning to stay cool at home or go to a place that has air conditioning. Check on vulnerable friends, family members and neighbors.
To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! In cases of heat stroke call 9 1 1.