DEEP: Extended dry periods mean brush fire danger even in cold weather

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — It has been a while since Connecticut saw any, and these dry conditions are becoming a concern, especially for brush fires. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reported that the fire danger due to the dry season is high across the state.

Technical Discussion: Near-record warmth, plus an end to the dry stretch

For any Alerts in effect for CT, click: here. Under scattered clouds, expect a milder night with lows between 40 and 45 inland, in the mid-40s at the shoreline. A warming trend is underway across CT as a dry stretch continues. Tomorrow, Election Day, is even warmer with highs exceeding 70 inland, reaching the mid to upper 60s at the shoreline (thanks to the southwesterly/onshore wind coming off the cool water of Long Island Sound). For context, the average high temperature for the Hartford Area this time of year is in the mid-50s. The warming trend peaks Wednesday as temps reach the mid-70s inland (with a few degrees of the 11.04 Hartford Area record high of 78 from 1987). While the unseasonably mild weather will continue, we can’t say the same for the dry stretch (that has now lasted well over two weeks in the Hartford Area). Thursday, we’ll see increasing cloud cover as a storm system approaches and the wind becomes breezier out of the southwest. While dry during the day, shower chances increase toward and after sunset. It’s as we close out the workweek Friday that we anticipate the greatest likelihood for wet weather. Based on how slowly a cold front moves through the region will dictate if we have just showers, or a more substantial round of rain.

A warm and sunny Monday in Connecticut. Here's when the next rain chance comes.

Temperatures will warm to above-normal levels today, with November off to a mild start across the state.

First Alert Weather: Trending milder before our lengthy dry stretch ends

Thought today was mild? Tomorrow is even warmer, and we remain dry... so no weather-related issues getting to/from your polling location. This warming trend peaks Wednesday, with highs 15-20° above average (perhaps within a few degrees of 11.04 records). Meanwhile, what will be a nearly 3-week long dry stretch ends before the weekend as a storm system moves through the region. Looking ahead to the weekend... lingering, isolated showers are possible Saturday; then, Sunday is drier. While relatively cooler, temps will run several degrees above average. Beyond the weekend, another system could impact CT next Monday.

Connecticut brush fire risk high statewide Monday, officials say

DEEP said wind and relative humidity, along with drier conditions, are some of the factors that will affect brush fire risk.

First Alert Weather Extra: Daylight saving time and your brain

First Alert Weather Extra: Daylight saving time and your brain.

Early forecast for Nov. 1

Warm and dry for Election Day Tuesday and also Wednesday!

Unseasonably mild to warm weather for much of this week! Some clouds at times with sunshine too through midweek and fine voting weather tomorrow! All eyes on the late week for a low pressure system and associated cold front. Showers move our way later Thursday, then rain… heavy at times Friday through early Saturday. Cooler weather next week.

FORECAST: We're talking about warmth this week

Meteorologist Jill Gilardi said things will feel pretty warm this week. Here's her Monday 7:20 a.m. forecast.

FORECAST: Rain returns late this week

Meteorologist Jill Gilardi said highs reach the upper 60s and we’re expecting to reach 70 by Election Day. Here's her 4:30 a.m. Monday forecast.

Unseasonable warmth returns this week

Meteorologist Jill Gilardi said a touch of valley fog will burn off by 8 or 9am, and frost will melt around that time too. Sunshine will be abundant through the afternoon, with highs in the low 60s for most of the state.

A frosty start gives way to a sunny, comfortable Sunday in Connecticut. Here's the forecast

We can enjoy an extra hour of sleep on Sunday, but the tradeoff is a much earlier sunset.

6 Historic Connecticut Blizzards You’ll Be Grateful You Never Experienced

Connecticut’s blizzard history is written into photographs of buried city streets, coastal storm reports, and remarkably uneven snowfall maps. The same weather system can hammer one corner of the state while leaving another with a much smaller cleanup. These six events show different ways winter can interrupt everyday life,...

Brush fire risk remains high across all 8 Connecticut counties on Sunday, officials say

When the high brush fire risk is high, DEEP urges the public to use extreme caution when handling open flames or flammable materials while outdoors.

A taste of late-season warmth for the first week of November

Temperatures cool off tonight under mainly clear skies, but it won’t be as chilly as it has been over the last few nights with many towns settling into the 40s by Monday morning; a few 30s in the typically colder spots. There could also be some areas of patchy fog as you head off to work and school, but it does not look to be a widespread issue. Chilly won’t be a word to describe the first week of November! Temperatures will trend 10 to 15 degrees above average by mid to late week, with highs reaching the low 70s!

Snowtober at 15: The CT Storm That Knocked Out Power to 880,000 Electric Customers

Fifteen years ago this week, a freak October nor'easter buried parts of Connecticut under more than a foot of heavy, wet snow, snapping limbs still thick with autumn leaves and plunging roughly 880,000 electric customers into darkness at the storm's peak. Schools shut their doors, roads disappeared under fallen trees and wires, and for some families the lights would not come back on for more than a week.

First Alert Weather: A chilly start tomorrow, then bright & mild

Tomorrow starts on a frosty note with low temperatures in the 30s... but with plenty of sunshine once again, temperatures will climb quickly! By the afternoon, we’ll reach the low 60s. The workweek will trend even milder... with highs in the upper 60s Monday and reaching 70 by Election Day. Our dry stretch will continue through the first half of the workweek, but rain chances increase late Thursday into Friday.