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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Comfortable and dry weather continues to end the weekend, start the new week
After a long stretch of humidity and showers, the comfortable air that arrived on Saturday will continue over the next several days. Dew point temperatures finally dropped from the tropical 70s to the comfortable 60s and 50s. The comfortable levels of humidity are expected to continue today and into the new week ahead. Temperatures are expected to remain a couple…
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More comfortable air and dry weather for the weekend
The remnants of Debby passed west of the state yesterday bringing tropical air, downpours and gusty winds to Connecticut. As the system pulls away today, expect more comfortable air and sunny skies to settle in for the weekend. Dew point temperatures will fall through the much more comfortable 60s today along with plenty of sunshine. Along with the lower levels…
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Humidity continues as storms roll through state
The pattern of very warm and muggy weather with afternoon storms continues today. Expect a blend of clouds along with some sunshine through the day. Showers and storms look likely during the afternoon and early evening. Some of the storms today could contain hail, torrential downpours and localized damaging wind gusts. Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for parts of Litchfield,…
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Storms roll through the state, severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for Fairfield County
A round of storms moved through parts of Connecticut Saturday afternoon. A few severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for Fairfield, New Haven and Windham counties, but those warnings have since expired or were cancelled. There is a severe thunderstorm watch in effect for Fairfield County until 9 p.m. In addition to the storm threat, the heat and tropical humidity continues…
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Lower humidity, plenty of sunshine to end the week, start the weekend
A cold front cleared the coast yesterday ushering in much lower levels of humidity. Dew point temperatures have gone from the tropical 70s to the refreshing lower 50s. Along with the lower levels of humidity, plenty of sunshine is in store for today and the sun will carry into the weekend. High temperatures today are expected to be in the…
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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…
