Fay forecast: Week of rain getting started

Clouds roll in over Lake Nineveh in Mount Holly early Friday evening. (Sherry Boudro Photo)

It looks like we’re about to get all that rain we’ve been missing, after two weeks of moderate drought conditions in Vermont.

At the same time, forecasters warn there may be localized road washouts, so use caution if you need to be out and about.

Moderate to heavy rains from Tropical Storm Fay are expected to intensify Saturday and last into most of next week, according to the National Weather Service. As the ever-deepening dark clouds suggest, the more moderate showers are arriving tonight.

The system will impact most of Vermont, essentially Windsor and Rutland counties and everything to the north, as well as northern New York State. The heaviest downpours appear poised for Saturday, with accumulations of up to 1.5 inches and winds of 10 to 15 mph. Some areas to the north may see up to 2 inches of rain.

Tropical Storm Fay hit New Jersey earlier on Friday, prompting some coastal flooding and road closures as it moved northward. Gusts of up to 25 mph were reported along the coast.

As the system visits the Green Mountains, it obviously brings welcome rains for farmers and gardeners after weeks of drought. But as I mentioned before, caution is urged on the roads as local flooding may occur in some spots depending on rainfall.

Once this storm has passed, hopefully the heat wave will have passed, too. It’s time for Mother Nature to let us out of the oven, at least for a little while.

— Gareth Henderson