A fast-moving but powerful storm slammed into Connecticut on Friday. It delivered soaking rain, damaging winds, and widespread power outages from the shoreline to the Hartford suburbs.
As crews rushed to restore electricity and clear blocked roads, residents from Stamford to Springfield’s commuter belt braced for a rapid temperature plunge. Leftover water could turn into black ice by Saturday morning.
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Strong Winds, Driving Rain Batter Connecticut
The storm arrived early Friday with a one-two punch of heavy rain and fierce winds. Trees toppled, limbs snapped, and power lines came down all across the state.
Meteorologists pointed out that the system packed winds more typical of early spring nor’easters than a winter warm spell. Along the shoreline, wind gusts got especially intense.
Groton and New London recorded peak gusts of 58 mph. Several inland communities also reported gusts over 50 mph—enough to cause scattered structural damage and significant tree loss.
Wind Advisories and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings
The National Weather Service issued wind advisories through Friday night. Residents in Fairfield County and New Haven County were told to secure loose outdoor items and avoid unnecessary travel during the worst of the storm.
At the storm’s height, severe thunderstorm warnings popped up for parts of both counties. Embedded downpours and strong wind cores swept through, making things even dicier.
Coastal towns like Clinton, Niantic, and Waterford were told to seek shelter as sudden bursts of wind moved in from Long Island Sound. Emergency officials in these shoreline communities reported scattered flooding, especially in low-lying spots that never seem to drain well.
Power Outages and Road Closures Across the State
By mid-afternoon Friday, more than 46,000 customers lost power, according to Connecticut’s two largest utility companies. Numbers dipped below 40,000 later as line crews worked through rain, wind, and tough access to downed wires.
Communities from Bridgeport to Hartford felt the impact. Fallen trees blocked neighborhood streets and took down primary lines, leaving pockets of extended outages in suburbs like Norwalk, Wilton, Milford, and parts of eastern New Haven.
Travel Complications from Flooding and Debris
Numerous roads closed or partially shut due to downed trees and flooding. In Wilton, sections of Route 7 were blocked, disrupting north–south travel for commuters and local traffic.
In Norwalk, flooding on Water Street caused more headaches near the waterfront, backing up vehicles during the busy midday period. Local police departments in cities such as New Britain, Danbury, and Stamford urged drivers to avoid known trouble spots and never try to drive through standing water.
Public works crews spent much of the afternoon clearing storm drains and removing fallen limbs from major roads. It felt like a never-ending job.
Schools, Flights and Daily Routines Disrupted
Districts across Connecticut scrambled to adjust schedules as the storm intensified. Several school systems either closed entirely or went with early dismissal, citing flooded roads, blocked bus routes, and worsening afternoon travel.
Parents in towns like West Hartford, Hamden, and Fairfield got warnings that buses could run late due to detours around downed wires and tree damage. Many districts leaned on email alerts and text notifications to keep families updated in real time.
Flight Delays Ripple Beyond Connecticut
The storm’s reach stretched beyond the state’s borders. Flight delays and cancellations rippled across the region, hitting major airports like LaGuardia, JFK, and Tweed New Haven.
Travelers from New Haven, Branford, and Guilford heading out for weekend trips faced long lines, shifting departure times, and sudden cancellations. Airlines advised passengers to check their flight status often and consider rebooking flexible fares if they could wait out the weather.
From Record Warmth to Dangerous Overnight Cold
In a weather whiplash that’s honestly become a bit too familiar in Connecticut, temperatures surged into the upper 50s Friday morning. Some spots threatened or broke daily records.
Residents in places like Middletown, Waterbury, and Manchester stepped outside to springlike air—even as storm clouds thickened. But behind the front, a much colder air mass charged in.
Forecasters expect temperatures to tumble nearly 30 degrees overnight, dropping into the 20s across most of the state. It’s a wild swing, even for New England.
Black Ice Risk as Standing Water Freezes
That rapid temperature plunge sets up potentially hazardous conditions Saturday morning. With so much standing water left on roads, driveways, and sidewalks, black ice looks like a major concern for early drivers in Enfield, Torrington, Norwich, and beyond.
Officials urge residents to:
Weekend Outlook: Calm, Then Colder
The good news for Connecticut? The worst of the storm won’t last long. Forecasters expect Saturday and Sunday to bring mostly sunny, seasonable weather.
Cleanup crews and homeowners will finally get a chance to assess damage and clear debris. It’s a bit of a breather, honestly.
But by Monday, colder air moves in and settles over the region. Highs will stick close to freezing, from New London to Litchfield.
It’s smart to check on vulnerable neighbors and be ready for another round of overnight cold. Keep an eye on local forecasts—winter’s not done with Connecticut just yet.
Here is the source article for this story: Storm hits Connecticut with heavy rain, high winds and near-record highs before temperatures plummet
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