AccuWeather meteorologists are warning of a continuation of severe weather in the days leading up to the Independence Day holiday in the United States, with severe thunderstorms and localized flash flooding posing dangers and travel disruptions. While Monday saw only a few dozen severe weather reports across the lower 48 states, the mid-Atlantic experienced a high concentration of severe weather and flash flooding. These regions are expected to face the threat of severe thunderstorms and flash flooding again into Tuesday evening.
The risk of severe weather, including damaging wind gusts, lightning strikes, and flash flooding, will stretch from the Carolinas to upstate New York and northern New England. The Interstate 81 and 95 corridors will be particularly impacted by the storms, potentially leading to airline delays in major hubs from Boston to New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Charlotte. Areas recently affected by heavy rainfall are at a higher risk of flash flooding, but torrential rainfall and rising water levels can occur across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.
On Wednesday, severe weather is expected along the southern Atlantic coast, with heavy thunderstorms and localized flash flooding from southern New Jersey to northern Florida. In the Upper Midwest, a new round of severe weather is forecast for Wednesday as a cool front moves southeastward from Canada.
The risk of severe weather will continue into Thursday in the Northeast, with lower humidity levels reducing the risk of flash flooding but still posing a threat of moderate hail and strong wind gusts. Similar risks are expected in southeastern Ontario, southern Quebec, and New Brunswick, Canada. The atmosphere is expected to reload farther west on Friday, with a likely corridor of severe weather extending from Kansas to the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Severe weather is expected in eastern Ontario with storms on Friday bringing a high risk of damaging hail, strong winds, and flash flooding. Another area to watch for thunderstorms is the interior Southwest due to the North American monsoon. The shift in winds from west to south brings humid air, leading to daily thunderstorms throughout the summer. Dust storms may precede heavy rain, causing localized flash flooding. Stay informed and safe with advanced weather alerts by subscribing to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app for expert guidance on severe weather risks.
