More than 90 million Americans are under threat of severe weather this weekend as a cold front moves across the East Coast, bringing thunderstorms, hail, damaging winds, and the possibility of isolated tornadoes. The storms are expected to provide relief from recent heat and smoky conditions.
Warm and muggy temperatures have persisted along the East Coast, with thick Canadian wildfire smoke acting as a partial sun filter, influencing daily temperatures. This weather pattern is expected to shift as the cold front arrives.
The front will initiate widespread heavy showers and thunderstorms, beginning Friday in the Ohio Valley and continuing through Sunday across the Mid-Atlantic. The FOX Forecast Center indicates a Level 2 out of 5 severe storm threat for most of the Northeast and the southeastern Great Lakes.
On Saturday, an intense line of storms is anticipated to develop in western parts of the Northeast late in the evening and move eastward overnight. Early in this event, large, damaging hail is the primary concern. As the storms organize into a line, damaging wind gusts will become the main hazard, with a few tornadoes also possible.
As the cold front progresses southward, severe storms are also expected across Western Virginia and North Carolina on Sunday, where a Level 2 out of 5 threat is in place. Additionally, a flash flooding threat extends across the Ohio Valley on Friday. On Saturday, this threat includes a large portion of the Northeast, with a Level 2 flood threat for New York City, parts of Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. On Sunday, a Level 1 flash flood threat is forecast for parts of Virginia and North Carolina.
For New York City, rainy weekends have become a recurring theme this summer. Central Park has recorded measurable rain every weekend since early June, a streak that is likely to continue if current forecasts hold true.
