Millions at risk for severe weather in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Memorial Day
Outdoor parades and observances were interrupted by heavy rain and severe thunderstorms into Monday evening, as storms rumbled east toward the Atlantic coast and southward toward the Gulf coast.
Strong tornadic storms damaged homes and businesses across several states, including Texas and Kentucky, over the holiday weekend.
A stormy Memorial Day weekend across the nation ended with another risk of severe weather in the Northeast, where AccuWeather meteorologists correctly forecasted that storms packing damaging winds, hail and torrential rain can impact outdoor observances into the evening for the holiday.
Following a relative lull in storm activity on Sunday in the region, multiple storms erupted on Monday and continued into the evening. The same storm system led to the deadly storms and tornadoes in the nation's midsection on Saturday and Saturday night and again in the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys on Sunday.
Lightning strikes the torch of the Statue of Liberty in New York City on April 3, 2024. (Dan Martland)
As these thunderstorms rolled across the East Coast, they brought numerous reports of damaging winds and some hail from eastern North Carolina to New York.
In addition to tree and building damage across the region, one tornado was reported to have moved through eastern Pennsylvania, impacting Mahanoy City and leading to roof damage on at least five to six buildings, according to the Mahanoy City Fire Department.
A break from severe weather after Monday?
The risk for severe weather has been relentless across the country throughout the month of May, but AccuWeather meteorologists are offering a dose of optimism in the coming days, at least in the Great Lakes and Northeast.
Following the severe storm risk on Memorial Day, and more run-of-the-mill non-severe thundershower activity on Tuesday and Wednesday, high pressure will build into the region and shut off the risk for feisty storms for the week's balance. The period from Thursday to Saturday is forecast to be mainly rain-free in the region.
Accompanying the high pressure system will also be fairly comfortable weather conditions, with lower humidity levels and temperatures expected to be in the 60s and 70s for most.
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