An unusually strong low pressure for this time of year will spark powerful storms across much of the East into Friday night.
Storms have already produced torrential downpours this morning across much of Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia. More of the same is on the way as well as the potential for damaging wind, hail and a couple of tornadoes.
Cities targeted include New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Harrisburg, Allentown, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Raleigh and Columbia.
RELATED: Flash Flooding Risk DC, NYC to Boston, Burlington, Vt.
The most potent storms will explode this afternoon as the low pressure heads toward the area and strengthens, feeding off of tropical-like humidity.
Damaging blasts of wind, hail larger than quarters, and drenching downpours are all possible as rounds of slow-moving storms track east.
According to Severe Weather Expert Henry Margustiy, "An upper level disturbance lifting northward across Long Island and into central and eastern New England has the potential to produce a couple of tornadoes during the afternoon and early evening."
Blinding rain from time to time will cause plenty of travel headaches for motorists on major interstates. I-95, I-81, and I-80 are all in the crosshairs. Conditions will be just as bad on the New York Thruway and the Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania turnpikes.
If you'll be traveling to or from area airports into Friday night, don't expect anything better, as locally severe storms threaten to cause plenty of flight delays.
Be alert for rapidly changing weather conditions and heed any watches or warnings that may be issued. Remember, if a warning is issued, this means a dangerous thunderstorm is imminent and you should take shelter immediately.
Be sure to stay with us at AccuWeather.com for all the latest details on this impending severe weather event.
Severe thunderstorms rolling through Moore will add to recovery difficulties this morning.
So far this year California has seen 1,569 wildfires, 85 percent more than in an average year.
The Memorial Day weekend will begin cool, windy and rainy in New England and part of the mid-Atlantic.
GOES-East failed again late Tuesday. It is one of the main satellites meteorologists use for the eastern part of the United States and the tropical Atlantic.
The tornado tore through a path 17 miles long on Monday and had wind speeds as high as 200 mph.
On the two-year anniversary of the EF-5 tornado that leveled Joplin, Mo., the town has deployed assistance to Moore, Okla.
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | N/A | |
| Low | N/A | |
| Precip | N/A |
International Falls, MN (1992)
Late season snow flurries.
Pennsylvania (1984)
Over $150,000 damage in Monroe and Pike
counties from a thunderstorm downburst
(originally thought to be tornadoes).
New Hampshire (1814)
Merrimac, Litchfield, Londonderry and
North Chester, NH; Tornado and hailstones
with 11-inch circumference weighing 1/2
pound.
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