High Wind — Fairfield, Connecticut

2002-05-24 · near Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut

Wider weather episode

As a cold front moved southeast, winds shifted from west to north and gusted to around 27 knots, which was measured by the NOAA National Ocean Service Kings Point, NY Tidal Gage.According to witnesses and authorities, an experienced captain standing on the bow of a 66-foot ocean racing sloop was changing a large sail when a strong wind gust caused the pole supporting the large sail to suddenly break. The captain was tossed into the water and drowned about 2 miles south of Fairfield.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5296851. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.