High wind warnings & lots of rain in the forecast for Connecticut

The National Weather Service has issued high wind warnings for coastal Connecticut from 1:00 AM tomorrow morning until 1:00 AM Tuesday morning.  Wind advisories have been issued for the rest of southern Connecticut for the same time period.  A coastal flood advisory is in effect for tomorrow evening's high tide in western Long Island Sound and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for Litchfield and Hartford Counties for late Monday afternoon and Monday night.

 The following forecast is based on a blend of the GFS and NAM models:

Tonight: Light rain showers developing during this evening.  East Northeast winds increasing to 15 – 25 MPH gusting to 40 MPH at times along the coast after midnightwith lows in the mid to upper 30’s.

Monday Morning: Rain showers with some sleet mixed in the NW hills expected during the morning rush hour with temperatures in the mid to upper 30’s.  East northeast winds sustained at 25 – 35 MPH, gusting to 50 MPH at times along the coast during the morning rush hour.  The winds may present a hazard to high profile vehicles on exposed bridges.  Some sleet may be present on some roads during the rush hour with a very minor impact on driving.  Minor coastal flooding is possible during high tide around 8:00 AM in Western Long Island Sound.

Monday Afternoon:  Winds increasing to 35 – 45 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH inland and 65 MPH at times along the coast by late-afternoon.  Isolated gusts to 70 MPH are possible over the open waters of Long Island Sound during the late afternoon.  Light to moderate rain mixed with some sleet at times in the NW hills.  The impact on the afternoon rush hour is expected to be minor with some slush on a few roads in the NW hills.  Highs in the mid to upper 30's.  The winds will present a hazard to high profile vehicles on exposed bridges.  Some tree and powerline damage is expected.  Minor to pockets of moderate coastal flooding are possible during high tide around 7:30 PM in Western Long Island Sound.

Monday Night: Moderate to heavy rain southeast of I-84 with rain, sleet and some wet snow expected northwest of I-84.  Temperatures holding or falling slightly into the low to mid 30’s during the evening.  Strong Northeast winds sustained at 35 – 45 MPH gusting to 50 MPH inland and 65 MPH at times along the coast overnight.  Significant power outages are possible overnight.  Some urban flooding is possible during any bands of heavy rain.  Total rainfall is forecast to range from 1" - 3" across the state.  The winds are forecast to begin subsiding before daybreak on Tuesday.

Tuesday Morning: Winds subsiding with rain and mixed precipitation tapering off during the morning.  Minor coastal flooding is possible during high tide around 7:00 AM in Western Long Island Sound.  Total accumulations of 1" - 2" of sleet and wet snow are expected to be confined to the NW Hills and higher elevations of northern CT. ​