Severe thunderstorms threaten Connecticut on Thursday
Connecticut is bracing for strong-to-severe thunderstorms on Thursday, June 19, as hot, humid conditions intensify just in time for the Juneteenth holiday. According to local meteorologists, Thursday has been officially declared a “First Alert Weather Day”, with potential for damaging winds, frequent lightning, heavy rainfall, and hail.
The National Weather Service and WFSB meteorologists emphasize that the most intense storm activity will likely occur Thursday afternoon through early evening, as a cold front pushes through the region. Outdoor events and travel plans may be impacted, especially across northern and southern Connecticut, where heat, humidity, and atmospheric instability combine to create ideal conditions for thunderstorm development.
Timeline of storm threats and temperature changes
Wednesday, June 18, begins with patchy fog and cloudy skies, but by the afternoon, Connecticut transitions into a hotter and more humid pattern. The peak of this change arrives Thursday, with temperatures soaring to around 92°F (33°C) in northern Connecticut and 87°F (31°C) in the south. Gusty southwest winds reaching up to 23 mph will add to the volatile weather mix.
Wednesday night and Thursday night both carry continued chances for thunderstorms, especially before and shortly after midnight. Winds shift westward after the frontal passage, helping clear skies by Friday.
Clear skies and rising heat for the weekend
By Friday, sunshine returns with highs near 84°F (29°C) inland and 85°F (29°C) along the coast. Saturday continues the dry trend, with mostly sunny skies and comfortable warmth reaching into the mid-80s Fahrenheit (around 29°C).
The weather escalates again by Sunday, marking the first official heat wave of the season. Forecasters predict temperatures reaching 89°F (32°C) in the north and 88°F (31°C) in the south, under mostly sunny skies. Humidity levels will begin to rise again.
Early next week: Heat indices near 100°F
Monday, June 23, will bring sweltering heat, with inland highs reaching 94°F (34°C) and coastal regions close to 90°F (32°C). The heat index could climb above 100°F (38°C) in some areas, prompting another “First Alert Weather Day”. This intensifying heat will be accompanied by mostly sunny skies and light west winds, creating uncomfortable conditions across the state.
Meteorologists urge residents to monitor the forecast closely as conditions may change quickly with the arrival of cold fronts, unstable air masses, and high dew points driving storm development and heat index spikes.
