A significant heat dome is set to control the weather across the eastern two-thirds of the country through late June, resulting in not only record-breaking temperatures but also severe thunderstorms along its periphery, caution AccuWeather meteorologists. These storms, driven by the clash between the heat and cooler air near the dome of high pressure, are expected predominantly in the Plains and Upper Midwest in the upcoming days, possibly extending into parts of the Northeast, forming a “ring of fire.” With abundant atmospheric energy, these storms will be powerful and may bring downpours, lightning, hail, and gusty winds.
According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill, the fast-moving thunderstorm complexes moving along the northern and western edges of the heat ridge in the next few days will bring heavy rain, lightning, hail, and strong winds. Severe thunderstorms are predicted to redevelop in the western High Plains late in the weekend after affecting areas in the Great Lakes and Northeast. These storms, fueled by intense atmospheric energy, may cause damaging winds, flooding, and hail as they move southeastward across upstate New York and New England.
As the Northeast threat diminishes, attention will shift to the Front Range of the Rockies and the western High Plains from Sunday afternoon through Sunday night, where robust atmospheric energy will interact with the heat dome. While the wind and hail risks are concerning, the precipitation is welcomed in some areas due to ongoing drought conditions, although excessive rain could lead to flooding issues.
A broad region spanning from western Texas to northern Minnesota will be under the threat of severe storms with damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes as the storms tap into ample heat energy. The central Plains through the mid-Atlantic and Northeast should remain dry and intensely hot in the early part of the week due to sinking air under a strong high-pressure system, with the chance of isolated thundershowers.
Following a period of scorching heat and high humidity, severe weather risks will return to the Midwest and Northeast in the new week after the heat dome’s influence begins to weaken.
The heat dome’s northern periphery will linger through Wednesday, caution AccuWeather meteorologists. “Storms developing could bring strong winds, hail, and heavy downpours from Nebraska to the Great Lakes on Monday and Tuesday,” explained AccuWeather’s Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert. “Parts of New England and the mid-Atlantic could face risks by Tuesday night or Wednesday.” There is a potential for storms to develop into damaging wind events known as derechos as they move southeast in the coming week. In addition to the danger of lightning during outdoor activities, hail, and gusty winds, storms over the Midwest may persist through midweek, creating a widespread risk of flash flooding. Significant rainfall, possibly causing water-covered roads and affecting farmers in the Corn Belt, upper Midwest, and northern Great Lakes region, is expected through Thursday. The progression of severe thunderstorms towards the east is less certain, depending on factors such as a high-pressure system in Canada and previous activity tracking. However, residents in the eastern Great Lakes, upper Ohio Valley, and Northeast are likely to face an increased risk of severe storms during the midweek period. AccuWeather Forecasting Intern Cris Kubatko contributed to this report. For more advanced safety features and an ad-free experience, consider subscribing to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app to access hyperlocal severe weather alerts provided by expert meteorologists dedicated to monitoring and analyzing dangerous weather conditions round the clock to keep you and your family safe.
