Possible thundershowers later today, no direct impacts expected from Hurricane Helene

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Umbrellas are needed for today and showers will be on/off throughout Thursday. With potential thunderstorms in the mix, some of the rain could be heavier in the afternoon and evening. The rain comes in waves and will clear more slowly now. It will be noticeably warmer with temperatures back in the 70s to finish the week. Friday looks cloudier and there is a close call with rain for the weekend. TROPICS: Helene is now a Hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. This storm needs to be watched very closely. The latest forecast coming from the NHC calls for rapid intensification through today before the storm makes landfall late tonight. There is the potential for this storm to intensify to a dangerous Category 4 hurricane. It's still heading toward the Big Bend area, but storm surge and flooding is likely along a good portion of the western coast. Our local area won't see a direct impact from this storm, but some of the latest forecast guidance shows that our area of high pressure may not completely block this storm. It will be a close call with some rain going into the weekend. I will keep the forecast dry for now but adding more clouds for Saturday. POLLEN: Pollen levels are at a low to medium level the next few days. Top allergens still are ragweed, sagebrush and grasses CLIMATE : Bridgeport normal temps: 72/56 FORECAST: THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy, risk of showers in the afternoon and evening. A few thunderstorms possible. High 73 FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. High 72 SATURDAY: Partly sunny. High 72 SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. High 73 MONDAY: Mostly sunny. High 73 "