Summertime storms, flooding downpours to persist this week across central, eastern US
Damaging winds, hail and torrential downpours will impact millions from the Front Range of the Rockies to the Atlantic coast this week, threatening summertime outdoor plans.
This house was directly struck by a lightning bolt during a stormy day in Evergreen, Alabama, on June 19. The strike left behind roof damage to the home.
The sizzling, stormy start to July will continue into another week as the risk of severe thunderstorms and flash flooding shifts across the central and eastern part of the nation, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.
Since the beginning of the month, there have been over 2,000 reports of severe weather stretching from the Plains to the East Coast, with nearly a thousand incidents on the Fourth of July alone.
Fireworks and lightning over the National Mall during an Independence Day event honoring the nation's 250th anniversary, Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Though the severe weather may not be as widespread, it will still be present and span dozens of states through the first full week of July. Even in areas that won't get damaging storms, there could still be flooding downpours that can interrupt travel and outdoor plans.
Drenching downpours in the Northeast
Following the firework-interrupting storms on the Fourth of July, drenching rain will linger in the Northeast early this week, say AccuWeather meteorologists.
“The combination of extremely moist air and slow-moving thunderstorms across parts of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic will produce numerous episodes of flash flooding into Tuesday morning. In areas where torrential downpours persist, significant flash flooding may occur," said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter. "While all flash flooding can be life-threatening, rain rates of 1-3 inches per hour are especially dangerous and can result in rapidly escalating flash-flooding risks where people may need to immediately move to higher ground.”
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Storms developing across the region will be capable of producing torrential rainfall with rates exceeding 2 inches per hour in a moisture-rich atmosphere. The AccuWeather Local StormMax™ is 9 inches.
"Especially in cities, basement apartments can face elevated flash flooding risks as they may be especially susceptible to rapidly rising water. Additionally, mass transportation systems such as subways and tunnels can be some of the first places to experience dangerous flash flooding when rain rates become extreme,” stated Porter.
A meandering severe risk this week
Through Thursday, at least "some" risk of severe thunderstorms can be expected across nearly a dozen states from Texas to Wisconsin. A severe thunderstorm contains damaging wind gusts of at least 58 mph, hail of 1 inch or greater in diameter, or a tornado.
"While the heat dome will be flexing itself in the West, thunderstorms will continue to erupt east of the Rockies throughout the week," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys.
Denver and Minneapolis are among the cities that could be affected, with the main threats being powerful wind gusts and damaging hail. However, the impacts from the storms may not be all bad news.
"While heavy rain can lead to localized flooding from storms running over the same areas, the rainfall will be beneficial to the summer wheat, corn and soybean crops," added Roys.
While some storms will be in the Central states, the East will not be devoid of them. A continued daily threat of a few gusty storms will be found in the southern mid-Atlantic states, as well as at some popular summertime beach locales through Tuesday.
Those vacationing in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the Outer Banks of North Carolina, or Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, may have to temporarily halt summertime activities and seek shelter from storms as they roll through each afternoon and evening.
In addition to the risk of severe weather, lightning always poses a hazard, especially during this time of year. At the first sign of a thunderstorm, those outdoors on beaches, lakes, or pools should head indoors.
The severe weather risk will not end on Tuesday. Additional thunderstorms are expected to be on the prowl in both the East, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota through at least Thursday, posing a risk of flooding and severe weather.
Wednesday will be another rinse-and-repeat across the Plains and Midwest with severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds, hail and flooding downpours.
The daily afternoon thunderstorm threat will continue for beachgoers in parts of the Southeast on Wednesday, with gusty, drenching thunderstorms possible.
While drenching downpours will be possible in any severe thunderstorm this week, AccuWeather meteorologists are highlighting an area in the Dakotas, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota where localized flash flooding is more likely.
"It wouldn't be surprising to see some areas in the Plains and Midwest see several inches of rain," said Roys.
AccuWeather Meteorologist Jack Wojczynski contributed to this story.
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