Connecticut, 1997

High Wind and Strong Wind in Connecticut, March 6, 1997

March 6, 1997 · NWS BOX · 5 events in 3 counties and zones

High winds with gusts reaching 50 to 76 mph from the west and northwest occurred across the state in the wake of a strong low pressure system that passed through New England and into the Gulf of Maine. Wind speeds increased dramatically around mid-morning and the strongest winds occurred during the afternoon.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 4 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

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  • Floods
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  • Hail
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  • Marine and coastal
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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 BOX wrote it up.

High winds with gusts reaching 50 to 76 mph from the west and northwest occurred across the state in the wake of a strong low pressure system that passed through New England and into the Gulf of Maine. Wind speeds increased dramatically around mid-morning and the strongest winds occurred during the afternoon. Buildings and vehicles were damaged by falling trees and tree limbs in many communities throughout the state. Some roads were blocked by fallen trees and limbs. Up to 60,000 electric customers lost power statewide, but most of the power was restored within 12 hours. A peak gust to 76 mph was reported from Plainfield in Windham County at 3:01 PM. Other peak gusts included: 65 mph at Burlington; 53 mph at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks in Hartford County; and 48 mph at Willimantic in Windham County.

The radar

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

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Event by event

3 strong wind, 2 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Strong Wind, Hartford

When
March 6, 8:00 AM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where
Hartford forecast zone
Coordinates
41.819, -72.572 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Tolland

When
March 6, 8:00 AM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where
Tolland forecast zone

Strong Wind, Windham

When
March 6, 8:00 AM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where
Windham forecast zone
Coordinates
41.827, -71.977 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Windham

When
March 6, 1:00 PM EST to 5:00 PM EST
Where
Windham forecast zone
Measured
65 kt (75 mph)
Coordinates
41.827, -71.977 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Hartford

When
March 6, 1:00 PM EST to 5:00 PM EST
Where
Hartford forecast zone
Measured
56 kt (64 mph)
Coordinates
41.819, -72.572 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Strong Wind
Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
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, March 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: 5597793, 5597794, 5597795, 5597796, 5597797.