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A refreshing blast of cool and less humid air is on the way for the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, but cities from Boston to Raleigh will first have to contend with damaging severe thunderstorms this afternoon.

A cold front will slice into the Northeast this afternoon, bringing with it much more comfortable air for the start of the new week.

However, this same frontal boundary will be responsible for the eruption of severe thunderstorms this afternoon.

Cities in the threat zone include Boston, Providence, R.I., Bridgeport, Conn., New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, District of Columbia, Norfolk, Va., and Raleigh, N.C.

Residents who live in these cities or anywhere from eastern Massachusetts to eastern North Carolina will need to keep their eyes to the sky and stay tuned to the weather this afternoon.

Places with the best opportunity for damaging severe storms include the mid-Atlantic coast, the Delmarva area and into the Carolinas, where building heat and humidity ahead of the cold front is the greatest.

Ahead of the front, intense sunshine will heat the ground and create an atmosphere conducive for thunderstorms to ignite and thrive.

The most significant severe threats this afternoon include damaging winds capable of downing trees and power lines, quarter-sized hail and blinding downpours.

In addition to gusty winds, hail and drenching downpours, the strongest storms have the potential to produce a brief tornado.

Many people will be waking up to showers and thunderstorms this morning from upstate New York to Pennsylvania, however another, more significant round of storms is in store this afternoon.

The good news is that once the cold front passes and the threat for severe storms diminishes later today, some gorgeous weather with plenty of sunshine, cooler temperatures and low humidity is on tap through the middle of the week.

Until then, heed all watches and warnings and be sure to keep checking back for the latest severe weather updates.