Tornado warning in Connecticut

September 6, 2008 08:28 PM Email| Comments (1)| Text size – +

By John M. Guilfoil
Globe Correspondent

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- The Emergency Alert System just activated here with local news anchors and weathermen alerting us of a tornado warning for western New Haven and Fairfield Counties here in Connecticut and parts of eastern New York State, in effect until 9 p.m.

According to the National Weather Service, between 7:35 p.m and around 8 p.m., forecasters found multiple weather cells that are typically capable of producing tornadoes moving northwest at 25-30 MPH. Part of the storm passed over Danbury before moving into New York State, while other parts of the cell remain down here in the New Haven area.

When forecasters issue a tornado warning, it means a strong cloud rotation has been detected in a storm and that a tornado may already be on the ground of is expected to develop shortly, according to the Weather Service website.

Here in New Haven, we have seen steadily increasing and extremely heavy rain, often flying in sideways as a sign of the accompanying high winds and gusts. The rain started at exactly 4 o'clock this afternoon and has not let up. So far, it appears that the cities along the coast -- New Haven, Bridgeport, Fairfield and Greenwich, leading into New York City -- are mostly seeing rains and the resulting flash flood dangers. We have been warned to stay indoors and avoid windows.

All of Southern Connecticut is under a tropical storm warning as the remnants of Tropical Storm Hanna bear down on us. Flood and flash flood warnings and watches are posted statewide.

John Guilfoil can be reached at jguilfoil@globe.com