August-like weather arrives in state
While summer doesn’t officially begin until 6:07 a.m. Thursday, Monday’s weather made it feel like mid-August.
We’ll have the three Hs with hot, humid and hazy conditions again Tuesday, though a passing cold front overnight was expected to lower the humidity somewhat.
Expected high levels of ozone prompted the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to issue an air quality alert for Fairfield, New Haven and New London counties on Monday.
“Remember, it is important you take appropriate precautions when ozone levels are elevated, particularly for our most vulnerable residents — children, the elderly and those with respiratory diseases,” said DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee. “This weather can also impact healthy adults working or exercising outdoors – to minimize health impacts while working outdoors avoid prolonged strenuous activity and best if you exercise before noon or after 8 p.m.”
By Monday afternoon, Bridgeport Hospital had seen an influx of people with respiratory problems, including flare-ups in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, more commonly known as COPD. “I know it’s a poor air quality day,” said Dr. Michael Werdmann, an emergency physician at the hospital. “When it gets hot like this, we do see more respiratory issues.”
High pressure siting off the East Coast continues to provide lots of sunshine, a steady west-southwest wind and high temperatures will soar well up into the 90s this afternoon.
The warm temperatures caused school districts to have early dismissals in Danbury, Newtown, Litchfield and Regional School Districts 1, 6 and 14. As temperatures rose, Stamford announced at 9:36 a.m. Monday that it was closing elementary and middle schools. Norwalk schools did not alter their schedules.
The forecast
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 9 a.m. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 83. North wind 7 to 14 mph. Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening. Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Wednesday night: A chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Friday: Sunny, with a high near 78.