Severe thunderstorms threaten Labor Day travel from Plains to East Coast
Just days after severe thunderstorms swept through the Midwest, including a tornado in Detroit, additional rounds of damaging storms are expected across the country on Labor Day.
Intense thunderstorms roared from Pennsylvania to Virginia just before Labor Day weekend, spawning widespread lightning, flash floods and powerful winds that felled hundreds of trees in D.C. alone.
A strong heat dome over the central United States will continue to fuel rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms early this week. Most storms are expected to occur during the afternoon and evening hours, with damaging winds and flooding downpours creating the risk of travel disruptions, especially near major cities and airports.
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Severe risk continues on Labor Day
A cold front moving through the Great Plains on Labor Day will trigger additional rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms from Montana east through Minnesota and south into central Nebraska. Damaging wind gusts, hail and flash flooding will be the main hazards with the strongest storms.
While the tornado threat is not expected to be widespread, a tornado or two could develop within the strongest thunderstorms.
"Those with outdoor Labor Day plans in places like Fargo, North Dakota, should be ready to take shelter if thunderstorms approach. Downloading the AccuWeather app and having alerts enabled is a way to stay safe and be notified if dangerous thunderstorms are approaching your area," Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said.
Storm corridor shifts on Tuesday
The cold front and severe weather threat will shift eastward through early week, bringing drenching thunderstorms from central Wisconsin south through northern Kansas.
Localized damaging wind gusts of 55-65 mph are forecast to be the primary hazards, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 70 mph. Flooding downpours and hail are also possible in more potent thunderstorms.
The strongest thunderstorms could down trees and power lines, cause localized power outages and disrupt travel. Heavy downpours could also produce brief reductions in visibility and water accumulation on roads.
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