Meteorologists from AccuWeather are warning that a weather system similar to the one that caused nearly 300 instances of wind damage and a dozen tornado reports in the Midwest on Wednesday will now move towards the Atlantic Seaboard, stretching from Quebec to the Carolinas through Thursday night. Elevated humidity levels, coupled with a disturbance in the jet stream, will result in the formation of thunderstorms marching from the Appalachians and Piedmont regions towards the Atlantic coast on Thursday afternoon and evening.
According to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter, major metro areas such as New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. are likely to experience significant airline delays and ground stops as the storms approach. Porter warned that flight cancellations may also occur, leading to potential disruptions across the entire U.S. air travel system. Motorists are advised to be cautious of high water and reduced visibility as the storms roll in, especially avoiding flood-prone roads.
The thunderstorms are expected to bring powerful wind gusts averaging 60-70 mph, with localized maximum gusts reaching up to 85 mph. Due to saturated ground conditions, these strong winds could uproot trees or snap weakened branches, potentially causing power outages. Additionally, there is an increased risk of tornadoes in regions spanning upstate New York, northwestern New England, and parts of central and eastern Quebec.
In addition to strong winds, some storms may also produce small hail, posing a threat to crops, plants, and other vegetation. Flash flooding along with urban areas and small streams is anticipated as the storms progress, with localized severe weather impacting regions from South Carolina to Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. As a dome of heat expands over the coming days, severe thunderstorms are expected to develop from the Midwest to parts of the Northeast.
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