Right now, if you step outside in North Branford, you're going to feel that classic New England bite. It is 30°F out there, but with a west wind kicking at 11 mph, it actually feels more like 20°F. It’s the kind of night where the air feels thin and sharp. Honestly, if you aren’t wearing a decent coat, you’ll know it within thirty seconds.
The sky is hanging on to some clouds, though it’s mostly clear. There’s a tiny 7% chance of a stray flake of snow tonight, but don’t expect a winter wonderland just yet. Humidity is sitting at 49%, so it’s that dry, static-y cold that makes your knuckles crack.
The Mid-January Reality
People talk about "weather North Branford Connecticut" like it’s just one predictable block of cold, but it’s actually pretty moody. Today, Thursday, January 15, we saw a high of 43°F. That's not bad for January. But the floor is about to drop out. Tonight’s low is heading straight for 19°F.
You've probably noticed the wind has been a bit of a bully today, coming out of the southwest at around 15 mph. It kept the "partly sunny" afternoon from feeling even remotely warm.
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Why North Branford Weather Hits Different
North Branford is in a weird spot. It isn't right on the Long Island Sound like its neighbor, Branford, but it’s close enough to get those coastal dampness vibes without the moderating effect of the water’s edge.
Basically, we get the worst of both worlds sometimes.
We’re technically in the "cold season," which usually drags on from early December through mid-March. If you look at the stats from the National Weather Service and historical data from the last few decades, January is officially our "peak" misery month. The average high is usually around 37°F and the low hovers near 24°F. Seeing 19°F tonight? That’s North Branford reminding us who is boss.
- The Hottest Day: Usually July 21, topping out around 81°F.
- The Coldest Day: January 30, with a typical low of 23°F.
- The Wettest Month: April, averaging over 4 inches of rain.
We aren't just dealing with cold, though. The town has a serious relationship with water. Because of the Farm River and the various lakes like Gaillard and Saltonstall, drainage is a constant conversation at Town Hall.
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The Storm Factor
If you’ve lived here long enough, you know the "100-year storm" isn't a once-in-a-lifetime thing anymore. Since 2010, Connecticut has been getting hit with billion-dollar weather disasters almost annually. We saw it with Isaias in 2021 when 750,000 people across the state lost power. North Branford, with its heavy tree canopy, usually bears the brunt of that. When the wind picks up to 20 mph like it's expected to tonight, locals start eyeing the oak branches over their driveways.
Microclimates are real here. You might have clear skies near the Totoket Valley Park, but five minutes north toward the Durham line, you're driving through a sudden snow squall. It's the elevation changes. We aren't the Alps, but those rolling hills do weird things to the wind and moisture.
What to Expect for the Rest of the Week
Looking at the current trends, the "partly sunny" trend will hold briefly, but the cold is settling in for a stay. Humidity is expected to spike back up toward 67% tomorrow, which means that 19°F low is going to feel a lot more damp and bone-chilling than tonight’s dry cold.
If you're planning on being out, here's the move:
- Layer up before you feel cold. Once your core temp drops in this 20°F wind chill, it’s hard to get it back.
- Watch the West Wind. It’s shifting from southwest to west-northwest overnight. This usually brings in the clearer, but much colder, Canadian air.
- Check the pipes. If you're in one of the older farmhouses toward the north end of town, that 19°F mark is where things start to get dicey for exposed plumbing.
North Branford weather is a game of preparation. We’re currently in the thick of the "cloudier" half of the year—a stretch that usually lasts until late June. February is actually our cloudiest month, so enjoy the "partly cloudy" bits while they last.
Stay warm out there. The west wind isn't playing around tonight.