Connecticut, 1997

High Wind in Connecticut, December 29 to 30, 1997

December 29 to 30, 1997 · NWS OKX · 5 events in 4 counties and zones

A low pressure system developed off the Carolina Coast Monday morning, December 29th, while a high pressure system was northeast of the area. As the low moved north along the coast, it rapidly intensified.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 5 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
5

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS OKX wrote it up.

A low pressure system developed off the Carolina Coast Monday morning, December 29th, while a high pressure system was northeast of the area. As the low moved north along the coast, it rapidly intensified. The low moved over New York City (Brooklyn) during the evening preceded by high winds and heavy rain.East to northeast winds increased rapidly by evening. The highest winds occurred from 9 pm December 29th to 12:30 am December 30th. Wind speeds were sustained from 30 to 40 mph. Wind gusts were measured by a spotter in Guilford at 59 knots. Damage to trees and power lines were reported in Waterford (Southern New London County), Ansonia and Naugatuck (Northern New Haven County) and Stamford (Southern Fairfield County).High winds also developed on the back side of this system as it passed the area on Tuesday December 30th. A wind gust to 52 knots occurred in Guilford.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

5 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Southern New Haven

When
December 29, 11:30 PM EST to December 30, 12:30 AM EST
Where
Southern New Haven forecast zone
Measured
59 kt (68 mph)
Coordinates
41.443, -72.965 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Southern New London

When
December 29, 11:30 PM EST to December 30, 12:30 AM EST
Where
Southern New London forecast zone
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates
41.504, -72.101 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Southern Fairfield

When
December 29, 11:30 PM EST to December 30, 12:30 AM EST
Where
Southern Fairfield forecast zone
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates
41.285, -73.339 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Northern New Haven

When
December 29, 11:45 PM EST to December 30, 12:30 AM EST
Where
Northern New Haven forecast zone
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates
41.443, -72.965 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Southern New Haven

When
December 30, 11:10 AM EST
Where
Southern New Haven forecast zone
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates
41.443, -72.965 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

High Wind
Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Connecticut in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in Connecticut, December 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5623649, 5623650, 5623653, 5623651, 5623652.