Technical Discussion - WNEM TV 5

Technical Discussion

Good Wednesday Evening!

For a change we didn't have to deal with severe weather or heavy rain!  In fact, today we enjoyed a refreshing change!  Thanks to high pressure, there was plenty of sunshine, the humidity was low, and temperatures were quite pleasant.  Highs this afternoon were in the mid 70s across much of the state.  The normal high for June 19^th is 81 degrees.

Tonight, high pressure will move directly over Southern New England.  That means we'll have clear skies and light winds.  It also means there will be a big temperature drop.  By morning, readings will be in the 40s and lower 50s.  The record low for June 20^th is 45 degrees, set a long time ago in 1918.  It could be close!

Tomorrow is the last full day of the spring season and it is going to be spectacular!  It'll be another day of sunshine and low humidity as high pressure gradually moves off the New England Coast.  Afternoon highs will hover right around 80 degrees.

The summer season officially arrives early Friday at 1:04 in the morning and a warming trend will begin right on schedule.  We are forecasting highs in low and mid 80s Friday afternoon and humidity levels will edge a little higher.  We are forecasting mostly sunny skies for Friday, although we can't rule out an isolated thunderstorm or two, especially in areas just to the north of Connecticut.

The warming trend will continue in a big way through the first weekend of summer.  Temperatures will rise close to 90 degrees over interior portions of the state by Sunday afternoon.  A light south to southwesterly flow will pump higher humidity into the state as well.  The weekend should be mainly dry, although a couple of thunderstorms are possible especially by late Sunday afternoon.

The heat and humidity will remain with us early next week.  In fact, the second heat wave of the year could be brewing!  Temperatures will hover right around 90 degrees Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  The risk of thunderstorms will be low on Monday.  The risk of a thunderstorm should be a little higher during the afternoon hours both Tuesday and Wednesday.

The first heat wave of the year began on May 30^th and it ended on June 1^st.  It peaked with a record tying high of 95 degrees at Bradley International Airport on May 31^st.  We've now had 4 days this year with a high temperature of a least 90 degrees and I am sure there are many more to come.  FYI…in order for an official heat wave to occur in Connecticut, we must have a least 3 consecutive days of 90 degrees or higher.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Chief Meteorologist Bruce DePrest