Hello Everyone!

The mercury reached 90 degrees at Bradley International Airport yesterday! We have now seen 8 days this year where the temperature has reached or exceeded 90 degrees at the airport. There were 5 days in June, which includes a 4 day heat wave, and 3 days in July so far. That number is going to grow in the very near future. We are still forecasting highs in the mid 90s for both today and tomorrow. The existing record for today, July 18th, is 99 degrees set in 1982 and the record high for Saturday, July 19th, is 100 degrees set in 1991. While record heat is not likely, it'll feel like 100 degrees due to the heat and high humidity. Sunday probably won't be as hot as the two few days, but 90 degree heat is still possible. Thus, a 3 day heat wave is pretty much guaranteed, but it could be 4!

While we can't rule out a few widely scattered or isolated thunderstorms today or tomorrow, it looks like most of the state will remain dry. Sunday will likely feature a better chance for showers and thunderstorms as a cold front settles into New England. Monday looks even more unsettled with numerous showers and thunderstorms. Although the humidity will remain quite high, at least the clouds will hold temperatures to the 80s on Monday.

We could use a good soaking rain right about now. Bradley International Airport has received 2.00" of rain during the first 17 days of July, which is close to normal. However, many Connecticut towns and cities have not been nearly as fortunate. Bridgeport, for example, has received 1.04" of rain this month, which is about half the normal rainfall.

Once we get past Monday of next week, another spell of dry weather will begin. Although there is a slight risk of a pop-up shower or T'storm next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, it should be partly sunny with lower humidity and daytime highs in the 80s.

Tropical Storm “Bertha” continues to churn through the open waters of the Atlantic. Bertha has now been a tropical storm or Hurricane for more than 15 days. That is a July record. The previous July record for tropical storm longevity is 12.25 days and that was set in 1916.

To track Bertha or any tropical storm or hurricane this season....go to wfsb.com, click on the weather page then click on the hurricane link.

Enjoy your weekend!

Meteorologist Scot Haney

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The month of June came to an end and it will go into the record books as a wet and warm month. The total rainfall for June is 5.87" at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks. Normal June rainfall is 3.85". That means this June is wetter than normal by more than 2.0"! The average temperature is 70.6 degrees. The normal average temperature for June is 68.5 degrees. Thus, June 2008 will be 2.1 degrees warmer than normal. June was also a stormy month with nearly triple the normal number of days with thunderstorms. Normal is about 4 days.