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 with the risk of a few tornadoes will advance eastward across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest into Friday.
A dangerous outbreak of severe storms will strike the northern High Plains and Canadian Prairies on Wednesday.
Join us on Thursday for AccuWeather LIVE as we will discuss the debate of climate change and hurricane frequency and the top five things you need to know about summer weather.
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Tropical Storm Barry formed over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico and may hit the Mexico state of Veracruz Thursday.
A tornado touched down at Denver International Airport as a severe weather system moved through the area.
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | N/A | |
| Low | N/A | |
| Precip | N/A |
Amwell, NJ (1742)
A fatal hailstorm and severe thunderstorm
containing hail 4" in diameter killed one
child and did considerable damage to crops.
Custer Creek, MT (1938)
Cloudburst; 48 killed in a train wreck.
Southeast China (1932)
Hailstorm in Hunan Province killed 20 people
and injured thousands of others.
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