UPDATE (4:10 pm): The Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Fairfield and New Haven counties has been cancelled by the National Weather Service.

“The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits ... and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property,” the weather service announced at 4:05 pm Thursday. “Therefore the warning has been cancelled.

“However heavy rain is still possible with this thunderstorm,” the statement continued.

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The National Weather Service (NYC) is tracking a “strong thunderstorm [that] will affect eastern Putnam and Northern Fairfield counties” within the hour.

A special Weather Statement has been issued for Fairfield County. The storm was over Lake Carmel, NY, and moving east at 20 mph, at 3:06 pm. Nickel-sized hail occurred in Carmel with this strom. Winds up to 45 mph are possible.

In addition, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Fairfield County until 4:15 pm.

At 3:35 pm, Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing quarter size hail and damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. This storm was located near Danbury, and moving east at 15 mph.

This severe thunderstorm will be near Newtown around 3:55, the Heritage Village area of Southbury at 4:05, Southbury proper at 4:10 pm, and the Shelton-Trumbull-Monroe-Seymour-Derby area around 4:15 pm.

The weather service is predicting the storm will be near Danbury momentarily, in Bethel around 3:35 pm, and in Newtown around 3:45 pm.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with the storm. Lightning can strike 15 miles away from a thunderstorm, the NWS is reminding all area residents.

The storm, the NWS has added, may intensify.

In addition, the NWS office in Upton, NY, has issued a Flood Advisory for minor flooding in poor drainage areas for  north central Fairfield County and eastern Putnam County in southeastern New York. This advisory is in effect until 5:30 pm.

At 3:30 pm, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to  thunderstorms in the area. Overflowing poor drainage areas will result in   minor flooding in the advisory area.

NWS  Doppler radar estimates that 1-1½ inches of rain  has already fallen in eastern Putnam County, and similar amounts  are expected in northern Fairfield County.

A Flood Advisory means ponding of water in urban or other areas is occurring or is imminent.

The weather service cautions: “Do not attempt to travel across flooded roads. Find alternate routes. It takes only a few inches of swiftly flowing water to carry vehicles away.”