Severe Thunderstorm Watch Replaces Tornado Watch

Updated: Oct. 7, 5:10 p.m.
The tornado watch issued by the National Weather Service expired at 5 p.m. without incident. However, there is now a severe thunderstorm watch for southern Connecticut including Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties until 10 p.m. Monday. That watch also is in effect for Long Island.


Updated: Oct. 7, 4:35 p.m.;
A wind-driven rain is pelting central Greenwich. The skies are darkened with storm clouds from Greenwich Town Hall south to Grass Island Marina overlooking Greenwich Harbor. 

Original story:

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a tornado watch for the Greenwich region that is effect until 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7.

According to the NWS, there is a possibility of tornadoes from upstate New York, south through the Hudson Valley and east into Connecticut and the coastal regions. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.

A strong cold front will be moving across the region this afternoon through this evening, bringing heavy rains and damaging winds, according to the NWS. Between a half-inch and an inch of rain is expected from the cold front which could cause flooding in low-lying areas and areas with poor drainage.

The weather service also is forecasting minor coastal flooding with Monday afternoon's high tides that are expected to be about a foot higher than the astronomical high tides.

Patch will provide updates as they become available from the NWS.