NBC Connecticut Meteorologist Darren Sweeney delivers Connecticut's most accurate forecast every weekend morning on NBC Connecticut. He also enjoys covering breaking weather during the week live in the studio and in the field.
Darren joined the StormTracker team in October 2008 and has the recognition from the American Meteorological Society (AMS) with their seal of approval, as well as the National Weather Association (NWA) along with their seal of approval.
A Connecticut native, born and raised in West Hartford, Darren is happy to be forecasting for the station he grew up driving by and watching almost every day.
Darren's fascination with weather began at a young age through all of New England's wild weather extremes. His family knew he was captivated by storms because when everyone was going inside to take shelter, Darren would grab a video camera and go outdoors!
Darren has experience with forecasting New England weather. As a meteorologist for a Springfield TV station, Darren won two Associated Press awards for coverage of historic flooding in October 2005 and for Best Weathercast in 2006. He also reported live during severe weather events, most recently the massive flooding that took place along the Merrimack River in May 2006. More recently, he was honored with a “Breaking news” award by the Connecticut Society for Professional Journalists for his coverage of the 2009 EF-1 Wethersfield tornado.
Before returning to New England, Darren gained experience forecasting severe weather and chasing hurricanes for WFTX-TV in Fort Myers, Fla., where in a couple of instances, he was deployed to New Orleans to help sister stations cover Tropical Storm “Isidore” and Hurricane “Lilly” in 2002.
During his tenure at NBC CONNECTICUT, Darren has covered some of the biggest storms of his career. He was a part of the team that forecasted during Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene as well as many tornado touchdowns.
Darren earned his Bachelor's degree from Central Connecticut State University and went on to earn his Master's degree at Syracuse University's highly regarded Newhouse School of Communication. In 2003, he graduated from Mississippi State University's Broadcast Meteorology program.
During his spare time, you'll find Darren on one of his famous road trips exploring beautiful New England (especially during the summer). Darren is also proud to be a tenured Associate Professor at his alma mater at CCSU teaching in the Department of Journalism. He enjoys mentoring students who are looking to get into the exciting field of journalism and broadcast journalism. He serves on the board of the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists. Darren volunteers his time at many events raising money and awareness for different types of cancer research. You will also often find Darren involved with helping homeless animals finding good homes. His motto is “Adopt Don’t Shop.”
The Latest
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Increasing humidity and rain chances for the week ahead
After a day of sun mixed with clouds and moderate humidity, some showers and a few rumbles of thunder moved across Connecticut Monday evening. Increasing humidity can be expected tonight into the next couple of days. Dew point temperatures will begin to approach 70 degrees Tuesday through Thursday. Showers and storms will become more numerous by Tuesday morning with locally…
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Warm temperatures to end the weekend, humidity and showers return this week
A nice end to the weekend is expected with warm temperatures, low levels of humidity and plenty of sunshine. A weak cold front will work through the state during the day and an isolated shower can’t be ruled out. Otherwise, dew point temperatures will mostly drop through the comfortable low 60s throughout the day. Beyond today, humidity and showers...
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Warm temperatures and moderate humidity expected for the weekend
While clouds will increase today, we can still expect some sunshine and warm temperatures for any outdoor plans. There will be an increase in moisture today, which means we’ll see partly to at times, mostly cloudy skies. A brief shower can’t be ruled out late in the day or at night. No thunderstorms are expected for the first time...
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Less humidity, mostly sunny skies to end the week
A new airmass has arrived. Much drier air has been filtering into the state since yesterday and will set us up for a more comfortable Friday and the weekend. Dew point temperatures before the Thursday cold front were well into the oppressive 70s. The dew point temperature today, for example, will remain in the comfortable 50s. While we are expecting…
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Humidity continues with record heat possible Tuesday
The high heat and humidity will continue across the state on Tuesday with record high temperatures possible. The record high temperature at Windsor Locks is 96 degrees set back in 1983. The forecast is for a high temperature in the upper 90s. Records for the Bridgeport area are in the middle 90s. The forecast for Tuesday at Bridgeport is for…
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Higher humidity Monday, record heat likely this week
High pressure brought a sunny and hot day to the state to close out the weekend. Humidity levels were moderate, but more comfortable compared to the last several days. High temperatures were in the upper 80s to lower 90s. The dew point temperature remained in the more comfortable 60s, with some dipping down in the the low 60s. By Monday,…
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Heat returns Sunday after rainy start to the weekend
A flood watch has ended after Saturday morning’s heavy rain moved out of the state. As the rain clears out, it will make way for a return of some steamy temperatures to end the weekend. By Sunday, the sunshine returns and so does the heat. Highs are once again expected to return to the 90s away from the shoreline....
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Flood watch issued as some could see rain on Saturday
An area of tropical moisture (and humidity) is slowly moving northward and is expected to bring rain to Connecticut overnight into Saturday. A flood watch has been issued for parts of the state for the potential of localized heavy rain into the first half of Saturday. Embedded thunderstorms are also possible with the heavy rain. There is the potential to…
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Stretch of hot weather continues into new workweek
Temperatures away from the shoreline are expected to approach or exceed 90 degrees over the next couple of days. This could mark our next heat wave. The definition of a heat wave is three or more days in a row of 90 degree or higher temperatures. High temperatures Sunday were in the upper 80s to lower 90s away from the…
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Scattered showers and storms possible this evening
Along with the tropical air that is in place, scattered showers and storms can be expected this evening. Any storms could produce very heavy rain and localized wind gusts. A weak front will bring a change by Sunday. With more sunshine, temperatures will climb into the lower 90s away from the shore. Somewhat drier air will start to move in…
