United States

By Brian Edwards, Meteorologist

July 28, 2012; 3:25 PM

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Photo courtesy of Photos.com.

Another round of severe thunderstorms is set to continue into this evening from the Carolinas into the mid-Atlantic.

A potent upper-air disturbance slowly sliding eastward through the mid-Atlantic will tap into deep moisture and a very warm airmass in place, leading to another round of strong to severe thunderstorms.

Afternoon temperatures have risen into the middle 90s from Raleigh, N.C. to Norfolk, Va. and Washington D.C. which has contributed to very unstable atmospheric conditions.

Thunderstorms will continue to increase in coverage and intensity into the evening hours across New Jersey and southern New England. Any of these storms can bring damaging winds to New York City, Trenton, N.J. and Atlantic City, N.J.

Other cities which could be impacted by adverse weather through the evening hours include: Philadelphia, Pa., Washington D.C., Dover, De. and Cape Hatteras, N.C.

The main threats with these thunderstorms will be damaging wind gusts to 60 mph, hail, and potentially flooding downpours.

Rainfall rates in some of these storms over southern New England have been estimated at 2-3 inches per hour!

Even an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. In fact, there was a report of a rain-wrapped tornado near Meadville, Pa. early this afternoon.

Other severe weather reports this afternoon/evening:

-4:29 P.M.: Person trapped in a car near Glen Rock, N.J. due to flood waters.

-4:23 P.M.: Market Street impassable near Saddle Brook, N.J. due to flood waters.

-4:00 P.M.: 1.53 inches of rain fell in Hartford, Ct. between 3 and 4 P.M.

-3:57 P.M.: Flash flooding was reported in Longmeadow, Mass. with many cars stuck in standing water.

-3:42 P.M.: Several roads were reported closed in West Springfield, Mass. with heavy rains continuing to fall.

-2:45 P.M.: A house was struck by lightning southeast of Hopatcong, N.J.

-2:40 P.M.: Flash flooding was reported across portions of Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Orange Counties in N.Y.

-2:02 P.M.: Penny sized hail reported in Hackettstown, N.J.

-2:02 P.M.: Flash flooding in Glenwood Park, N.Y. with water rushing down Union Ave.

-2:00 P.M.: 1.41 inches of rain fell in Sussex, N.J. in about 35 minutes.

-1:58 P.M.: Water was coming up through a manhole cover in Palmer, Mass. Route 20 near route 181 had 3-4 inches of water covering the roadway.

-1:25 P.M.: 1.00 inch diameter hail was reported in Cooperstown, Pa.

-1:15 P.M.: Two buildings were struck by lightning in Mercer County, N.J.

-Earlier this morning, flash flooding on Long Island forced New York State Police to close all lanes of the Sagtikos Parkway between the Long Island Expressway and Crooked Hill Road.

As always, dangerous cloud to ground lightning will accompany most of the thunderstorms, which could threaten to postpone or cancel outdoor activities across the mid-Atlantic.

The ground is especially saturated west of the Appalachian mountains where recent heavy rains have fallen. Scattered storms are expected from Pittsburgh, Pa. through Charleston, W.Va. Any of those storms can lead to additional flooding problems.

Residents and visitors to the mid-Atlantic will need to keep an eye to the sky through this evening. If threatening weather approaches, be sure to take cover in a safe location.

Keep an eye on the AccuWeather.com Severe Weather Center and heed all watches and warnings that are issued.