Last weekend, the National Weather Service released the information that the average temperature in Windsor Locks was 77.2 degrees - 0.1 degree above the record for July of 77.1 degrees set in 1994.....but this week, a correction was given..the average "just" tied the old record of 77.1. No new record was set. I know, this past July was as warm as any month, and the difference is only academic. It has been a hot summer, a hot year. Only did January average a little cooler than normal.

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Wednesday brought yet another round of violent storms to the region. "Small" tornadoes(what an oxymoron) struck in east Litchfield, Thomaston, Terryville, and Bristol. Fortunately, we had little direct structural damage, but the tree damage was enormous. Where the damage was not related to tornadoes, we had downbursts of straight line winds which could have reached wind speeds exceeding those within the tornadoes....100 mph. This is a hot, humid, busy summer, and it just refuses to simmer down.

Click here to see viewer-submitted pictures from the storm.

Here is the story: A cyclonic flow from Canada is pushing southward into Connecticut while a massive, humid "Bermuda High" sends moist unstable air in our direction from the south. The two are on a collision course, and add to that a strong jet stream now and then, you have the makings of severe weather. The strong jet stream provides and outflow which lifts the air and assists in the tornado formation.

The pattern seems to want to stay. I'd keep an extra set of batteries within easy reach.

We have had our share of active weather, but today, the weather put on an unusual show. Normally rain shrouds our cloud formations, but we got to see the strange formations today before the torrents of rain came along. A turbulent atmosphere was in vivid view. To many, it appeared that funnels were extending from the clouds. Even I saw a formation which could have been a rope funnel---a funnel shaped like a rope.

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In my nearly 14 years of fighting a form of terminal cancer, I have met many good friends, and I have lost more than just a few. But this week, I lost an acquaintance who may not have had cancer but a variety of other ailments including the suspicion of being poisoned by anti-freeze. The police are investigating the murder of Michael Collins who through his associations is known to most broadcasters in our area and beyond. It is a very sad passing.

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