Severe weather is forecast to impact a large portion of the Northeast United States on Thursday, threatening millions with potential tornadoes, damaging winds, and flash flooding. The Storm Prediction Center has issued alerts for over 38 million people across the region, many of whom are under a Level 2 out of 5 severe weather threat.
Major metropolitan areas including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New York City are in the path of the developing storms. These cities are under a Level 2 threat for damaging winds and hail, with New York City, Philadelphia, and Baltimore also facing a Level 1 tornado risk. The FOX Forecast Center noted that this marks the seventh time this year that the New York metropolitan area has been placed under a tornado risk by the Storm Prediction Center, a significant increase compared to only once last year.
Scattered thunderstorms are expected to intensify throughout the afternoon and into the evening as a cold front moves east, creating unstable atmospheric conditions. The storms could produce wind gusts exceeding 60 mph. The possibility of supercell thunderstorms, known for their severity, also exists.
In addition to the wind and tornado threats, flash flooding is a significant concern, particularly in areas that experienced flooding earlier in the summer. A Level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk is in effect from Philadelphia northward into southern New York State. Flood Watches have been issued for over 25 million people from Philadelphia to New York City, anticipating rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches by early Friday morning. Philadelphia, which has already seen four flash flood warnings in 2026, is currently running over an inch and a half above its average rainfall for this point in August.
Accompanying clouds from these storms could potentially obscure viewing conditions for the partial lunar eclipse scheduled for late Thursday night.