Sunny Day Tuesday, Small Craft Advisory Too

The National Weather Service has issued a small craft advisory for Tuesday until 6 p.m. for New Haven and the waters east of New Haven, including Madison and Clinton.

"High pressure builds south of the waters today as low pressure moves northeast of the forecast waters. The high weakens tonight and Wednesday as a weak low aproaches from the west. Another wave of low pressure will move across the waters Thursday and move east Friday. Another storm may impact the waters for the weekend," the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

The NWS also issued a reminder about the astronomical high tides expected Wednesday and Thursday. Also known as "" these can contribute to coastal flooding. [Remember to get pictures at high tide 10:42 a.m. on Wednesday and 11:32 a.m. on Thursday, then post them to Patch. Be sure to take pictures from a safe place.]

Minor coastal flooding possible, according to current forecast

"The astronomical high tides associated with a new moon will be particularly high during the morning high tide cycles Wednesday and Thursday, as a result, as little as a half foot departures will be enough to result in minor tidal flooding along with ocean and bays. With an onshore component to the wind Wednesday and Wednesday night, minor coastal flooding is a possibility." 

Tuesday, the NWS is calling for northwest winds of up to 15 to 20 knots (about 17 to 23 mph), with gusts up to 25 knots (29 mph). Seas could be two to three feet. Tonight, winds are expected to diminish somewhat sometime after midnight, with seas around two feet.

On Wednesdays, west winds of about 5 to 10 knots, increasing to about 10 to 15 knots are expected, with gust of about 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas will be one feet or less, then two to three feet in the afternoon. There is a chance of light rain.

Check NWS website for most current forecast

On Thursday, north winds of 10 to 15 knots are expected, increasing to about 15 to 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas of around two feet; and rain is likely, the NWS says.

Current water temperatures in Long Island Sound are about 63 degrees.

For the most current extended coastal forecast, please see the National Weather Service website.

As for the small craft warning, how do you know if it applies to your boat? "There is no precise definition of a small craft. Any vessel that may be adversely affected by Small Craft Advisory criteria should be considered a small craft. Other considerations include the experience of the vessel operator, and the type, overall size, and sea worthiness of the vessel," the NWS says.