Morning Weather Report
Today
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 78. East wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Tonight
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tomorrow
A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tomorrow Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
High Tides
8:35 AM / 8:51 PM
Low Tides
2:33 AM / 2:43 PM
Westport Scout Aims towards Eagle with Donation Drive for Newborns
Troop 139 Life Scout Amelia Gura. Contributed photoWestporter Amelia Gura, a Life Scout with Westport’s Troop 139, is heading towards becoming an Eagle Scout. One of the most prestigious honors to earn in scouting - becoming an Eagle Scout requires a public service project. Gura has chosen to work with the Bridgeport Hospital Foundation to collect supplies for newborns and their parent.
These items include:
Diapers (Newborn-5)
Huggies Baby Wipes
Graco Pack-N-Play
Baby Scale
Digital Thermometer
Gerber Baby Girl Pants (all sizes)
Gerber Baby Boy Pants (all sizes)
Socks (all sizes)
Unisex Onesies (all sizes)
Graco Snug-Ride 35 Infant Car Seat
Evenflo Toddler Car Seat
Gura has requested the items to be purchased through an Amazon registry or that her request be shared with the community.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph.
Tonight
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind 6 to 8 mph.
Tomorrow
Showers and thunderstorms. High near 79. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Tomorrow Night
Showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then showers likely. Low around 67. Southeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
High Tides
7:59 PM
Low Tides
1:49 PM
Governor: Stage 3 Drought Declared for Upper Counties
Press Release
Governor Ned Lamont [Thursday] announced that at the recommendation of the Connecticut Interagency Drought Workgroup, he is declaring a Stage 3 drought level for New London and Windham counties due to more serious conditions that are emerging in those areas. All other counties in Connecticut (Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, and Tolland) will remain in Stage 2, as declared on July 14.
There are five levels of declarations under the Connecticut Drought Preparedness and Response Plan, with Stage 1 representing below normal conditions and Stage 5 being the most extreme.
Stage 3 identifies a moderate drought event, potentially impacting water supplies, agriculture, or natural ecosystems. Stage 2 is a notification of an emerging drought and is intended as an awareness stage regarding the possibility of a developing drought.
The decision to move two counties to Stage 3 is based on an assessment of indicator data monitored by state and federal agencies, including precipitation, surface waters, groundwater, reservoirs, soil moisture, vegetation, and fire danger conditions. The most recent occasion when a Stage 3 drought condition was declared in Connecticut was in October 2020.
“Connecticut continues to experience the impacts of climate change with this exceptionally dry summer, and while the entire state is experiencing drought conditions, we are seeing the most severe of those conditions right now in the areas of New London and Windham counties,” Governor Lamont said. “There are steps that residents and businesses can take to help reduce the impacts of this drought, including by voluntarily reducing water usage to only those things that are absolutely necessary and limiting the amount of water being used. Those who depend on private wells, fire or irrigation ponds, and other highly localized water resources should be especially mindful of local conditions, most particularly in places where previous droughts have had a significant impact on water supplies.”
The Connecticut Interagency Drought Workgroup is a state function that consists of representatives from several state agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Department of Public Health, Office of Policy and Management, and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, with assistance from the National Weather Service and the United States Geological Survey. It meets as necessary to assess drought conditions and make recommendations to the governor on the state’s response.
“We are recommending to the governor that New London and Windham counties all be increased to Stage 3 because precipitation shortfalls, reduced groundwater levels, stream flows, and soil moisture impacts are especially pronounced there,” Office of Policy and Management Undersecretary Martin Heft, who serves as chair of the workgroup, said. “Rainfall and droughts do not follow political boundaries, and impacts can be more severe at certain locations. We urge everyone to follow the advice of their local water company or municipality regarding potential water restrictions.”
To avoid further stressing water supplies and other impacts of drought, state and local governments, residents, and businesses are being asked to voluntarily take the following measures:
Reduce, to the extent possible, the watering of lawns, recreational and athletic fields, gardens, or other landscaped areas (if watering is essential, late evening hours are best)
Avoid burning in or near woodlands or brushlands
Report dry fire/irrigation ponds or private wells to municipal drought liaisons or regional emergency management liaisons
Postpone the planting of any new lawns or vegetation
Minimize overall water use by fixing leaky plumbing and fixtures
Take shorter showers
Run dishwashers and clothes washing machines with full loads
Shut off water while washing dishes, shaving, brushing teeth, and lathering up to wash hands, rather than running the water continuously
Avoid washing vehicles or power-washing homes and other buildings
Do not use water to clean sidewalks, driveways, and roads
Do not use public water to fill residential swimming pools
Residents and businesses should also stay alert for any additional conservation requests issued by their water suppliers or municipal governments. Tips on water-saving measures can be found on the Connecticut Department of Public Health’s website and on the Connecticut Water Planning Council’s website.
For more information on the Connecticut Interagency Drought Workgroup and the Connecticut Drought Preparedness and Response Plan, visit portal.ct.gov/Water/Drought/Drought-Home.