Bulk of thunderstorms in CT subside, weather service says

The last special weather statement for the state came in at 6:45 p.m.. Residents in Stamford, Paterson, N.J. and White Plains, N.Y., were advised to seek shelter while a storm raged until 7:30 p.m. Meteorologists said the winds could get as high as 40 mph and hail could be as big as half an inch. 

Earlier in the afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for northern Connecticut. The weather service said a “severe thunderstorm” bringing 60 mph winds and penny-sized hail was seen near Coventry around 4:18 p.m.

“Expect wind damage to trees and power lines,” meteorologists said in the alert, which has since expired. “For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.”

The storm also threatened to bring “torrential rainfall” that could lead to flash flooding and continuous lightning.

“Move indoors immediately,” the weather service warned. “Lightning is one of nature’s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.”

The weather service previously issued special weather statements for Danbury, New Haven, Meriden, Shelton, Middletown, Portland, Colchester, Ridgefield, Danbury, Bethel and Newtown. 

The weather service’s New York office is asking anyone who experienced quarter-sized or larger hail, or trees down in their area, to submit a report online at www.weather.gov/okx/SubmitStormReport, or tag them on a social media post with a picture, time and location. 

Temperatures were forecast to rise into the low 90s in northern Connecticut Friday. In Hartford, the high for the day was expected to reach 93 degrees.

Sunny skies gave way to showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. The rain is forecast to continue into the evening, with a chance of more showers throughout the weekend and into early next week. 

In Litchfield County, “some thunderstorms could contain frequent lightning, small hail, gusty winds and locally heavy rain,” the weather service’s Albany office said in a bulletin. 

After Friday afternoon’s showers and thunderstorms, rain is expected to continue overnight and possibly Saturday morning.

Temperatures will cool off over the weekend, with highs reaching the 60s and low 70s.

Meanwhile, smoke from wildfires continues to cause some air quality concerns in Connecticut. 

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection again declared an air quality action day on Friday for areas along the Connecticut shoreline. The designation means ground level ozone “may approach or exceed unhealthy standards,” the weather service said in a bulletin.

Ground-level ozone is formed by several sources, including evaporating gasoline, solvents and paint, according to DEEP. The colorless gas irritates the respiratory system and can cause coughing and chest pain. Children, older adults and people with respiratory issues are especially vulnerable.

Air quality monitoring sites around the state are also reporting “moderate” levels of fine particle pollution, the type typically seen from wildfire smoke. 

Smoke from wildfires in Nova Scotia has been drifting over the state this week. The smoke was visible as a milky haze on several days and left a slight burning odor in the air.

“Exposure to elevated fine particle pollution levels can affect both your lungs and heart which may cause breathing problems, aggravate asthma, and other pre-existing lung diseases,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday. “When particulate matter levels are elevated, people should refrain from strenuous outdoor activity, especially sensitive populations such as children and adults with respiratory problems.”

Staff writer Liz Hardaway contributed to this report.