First Alert Weather Extra: Two First Alert Weather Days for a storm threat

[00:00:00]Thanks for joining us everyone. Aaron Connolly here with meteorologist Mike Sleeper and it was a gorgeous Monday but unfortunately all good things must come to an end.

[00:00:12]>> So we brought an update to everybody during our evening news. Flood watch is issued just to our southwest for tomorrow. We've been giving you the first alert to the potential for strong thunderstorms and flooding. And we're going to first focus on the precip aspect of this, the flood threat. So flash flooding will be possible in New York City and points southwest tomorrow.

[00:00:32]There's a chance that we see this get expanded to include part or even all of Connecticut. So if that happens uh we will be the first to alert you but this uh flood watch does go down right through Philly even into parts of northern Delaware. So we uh dealt with quite a bit of rain on Saturday. Some of those totals that were up over 3 in pretty isolated in nature. And tomorrow could actually unfold in a similar way.

[00:00:55]This uh is the excessive rainfall outlook for Wednesday but we're looking for Tuesday. If you saw Tuesday on here, well you would see that it does include parts of Connecticut. And you know what?

[00:01:04]We can pop that up for you. Give us just a second here.

[00:01:07]This was actually an update from earlier this evening as well where the uh level two risk was expanded to include parts of our state. So that certainly was new information to pass along favoring southwestern Connecticut, Long Island and then points southwest. So we'll be watching this very closely as the day goes on tomorrow. And what we're concerned about is perhaps some uh repeated downpours or thunderstorms in the same location. As we get to noon tomorrow, clouds on the increase.

[00:01:34]To our west we start to see the downpours approaching and they'll actually begin to move in as we get into the early afternoon. But they're pretty slow moving favoring western Connecticut especially. This is 5:00 p.m. tomorrow.

[00:01:45]Still downpours and there could be some stronger thunderstorms in the mix here too if we can get enough instability.

[00:01:51]Then we'll see some lingering activity through about 10:00 or 11:00 o'clock tomorrow evening but we we a bit of a lull. So when it comes to rainfall amounts, especially in the western part of the state, we're looking at 1 to 2 in, but we could perhaps see totals 3 in if not a bit higher. So, we'll be monitoring this very closely.

[00:02:07]Could maybe be a little bit lower for totals in the eastern part of our state.

[00:02:12]But, it's not just the flood risk. It's not just the rain. There's also the chance for some stronger thunderstorms.

[00:02:17]So, heavy rain a concern with any downpours, lightning concern with any thunderstorms. The strongest storms, though, do bring the potential for some damaging wind gusts. We're talking about 60 mph or higher. But, we're also looking, at least within the region, at a tornado threat. The wind profiles tomorrow will favor storms to rotate.

[00:02:35]So, if they can gain enough strength, perhaps they'll continue to hold together as they move into Connecticut.

[00:02:41]And then Wednesday, we're expecting some scattered storms in the afternoon.

[00:02:44]There's a possibility that some of those will be on the stronger side, too, impacting your outdoor plans. Here's the severe weather risk comparison for tomorrow and Wednesday.

[00:02:53]Tomorrow, we see that level two risk into western parts of Connecticut. By Wednesday, level one risk encompasses most of the state, essentially cutting off on our western border. So, as we go through the day tomorrow, it really depends on how much sunlight we can see, cuz we need to build up our instability. If this warm front passes through a little bit earlier and we keep the clouds around, that can really limit the severe threat. However, in between the warm and the cold front here, the humidity really picks up and that will help to fuel some of these downpours and these thunderstorms. And then the cold front itself actually crosses, but there's an upper-level disturbance that crosses on Wednesday. So, while Wednesday starts off pretty bright, that helps to build the instability up in the atmosphere. The front itself offshore, but that disturbance enough to kick up some isolated to scattered stronger storms. A bit more on how this will eventually lead to a perfect weekend to wrap up July. That's ahead in the Super 7-Day Forecast.

[00:03:46]>> All right. We'll see you soon, Mike.

[00:03:47]Thank you. Well, have you ever noticed after rainy weather, more and more birds come out to bird feeders. There is a reason for that, and meteorologist Jill Gilardi explains.

[00:03:58]Well, if you have a bird feeder in your yard, you may have noticed something curious around rainy days. Suddenly, it seems like every bird in the neighborhood shows up at once.

[00:04:07]That's what happened at my house recently. During one of the rainy afternoons, my feeders were absolutely packed with birds, more than I've ever seen all summer. And there was an incredible variety of species, too. So, it wasn't just a coincidence, or was it?

[00:04:22]Or does rainy weather actually change bird behavior? It's time for another edition of wildlife versus weather.

[00:04:29]It turns out that rain really does influence how birds behave. One of the biggest reasons is that food becomes harder to find. Rain drives many insects into hiding, washes away easy food sources, and makes it more difficult for birds to forage on the ground. Your bird feeder suddenly becomes the easiest place for a grab of reliable food. Birds also need extra energy during wet weather, even if the middle of even in the middle of summer.

[00:04:57]Being soaked takes a lot out of them.

[00:04:59]That's quite a toll. Wet feathers lose some of their insulating ability, so birds burn more calories to stay warm and maintain their body temperature.

[00:05:08]That means they're looking for quick, high-energy food whenever they can find it. Got plenty at my house. All right.

[00:05:15]Well, many scientists also believe birds can sense changing changes in the actual air pressure before storms arrive. As atmospheric pressure falls, birds often become more active and feed heavily ahead of the rain, almost like stocking the pantry before bad weather moves in. Once the rain is falling, birds have to make a trade-off. Some will take cover in trees or shrubs during heavy weather, but many will keep feeding, especially at a reliable source like a backyard feeder.

[00:05:46]The need can The need for energy can outweigh the discomfort of getting wet, so it's not unusual to see birds actively feeding even while the rain is coming down.

[00:05:56]That's why your backyard bird feeder can suddenly become the busiest restaurant in town. And if you notice more species than normal, you're probably right.

[00:06:05]Birds that normally feed in different parts of the neighborhood may all be drawn to the same reliable source of food during rainy weather, creating an impressive mix of visitors hey all at once. So, if your bird feeders seem unusually busy the next time it rains, it's not your imagination. Rain changes where birds look for food, how much energy they need, and even how they move around. That combination can turn an ordinary backyard into one of the hottest dining spots in the neighborhood. Back to you.

[00:06:39]>> Joe, thank you so much. Coming up next on First Alert Weather Extra, tick bites are a sure sign of warmer weather, [music] but now more and more people are reporting they've been bitten. What's leading to that increase? We'll have the answer when we come back.

[00:06:54]>> Take Connecticut's only live radar everywhere you go. Scan the code on your screen right now to download [music] the free WFSB First Alert Weather app, available now for Android and Apple devices.