[UPDATED] Strong Storms Possible for Branford

Update at 6 p.m.

The National Weather Service has just issued a severe thunderstorm watch for New Haven and Fairfield Counties in southern Connecticut.

The watch is in effect until 10 p.m. this evening.

Original Story

Fasten your seat belts, Branford: it could be a rather bumpy night.

The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement warning of the chance of strong to severe storms this evening into the overnight hours for much of Connecticut, including the Long Island shoreline.

According to the weather service, an approaching cold front that's currently bringing severe weather to much of upstate New York and Pennsylvania could "help trigger showers and thunderstorms in the very warm, humid and unstable air mass in place" throughout the region.

"Some thunderstorms could be severe, with damaging winds and large hail," the meteorologists reported. "Heavy rain and frequent cloud to ground lightening is also likely."

In an additional special weather statement, the service states the entire shoreline area is under "slight risk for severe storms" tonight, with "heavy downpours" and a "chance for strong damaging winds and hail" also possible.

And while tomorrow's weather looks to be a little bit cooler, with a high of about 79 degrees, the threat of thunderstorms will continue throughout the day and evening hours.