Heat to vanish from northeastern US this week
Flash flooding hit Newark, New Jersey on July 22. We do not suggest trying to drive in these conditions, as pictured here.
After a heat wave that was responsible for five deaths in Maryland baked the northeastern United States over the weekend, violent thunderstorms and torrential downpours that slammed the region on Monday signaled an end to the torrid weather.
The storms are formed along the leading edge of an abnormally cool air mass advancing southeastward across the Midwest.
Officials had to perform at least seven water rescues around Pittsburgh early Monday morning after heavy rain struck, according to KDKA. The flooding also closed multiple roads around the region.
Late Monday afternoon, there was a ground stop at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, as well as Newark Liberty International Airport due to severe storms passing through the tri-State area.
While a general 1-2 inches of rain fell in most locations on Monday, some spots received as much as 4-5 inches of rain. Flooding of streets and low-lying areas was common, and some smaller streams and creeks overflowed their banks.
Because the storm system will only slowly crawl eastward into Tuesday, clouds and rain may linger along and east of the I-81 corridor through a good portion of the day on Tuesday.
Although the risk for severe weather will be confined to southeastern Virginia and the Carolinas on Tuesday, there is still concern for heavy rain to aggravate or trigger new flooding problems in southeastern New England.
"Travelers can anticipate a several-hour period of poor driving conditions with flight delays in southeastern New England, potentially including in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island," Pydynowski said. "At the very least, those with vacation plans on Cape Cod should consider indoor activities."
Temperatures will be slashed by some 15-20 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia in comparison to Monday’s high temperatures. Highs throughout most of the mid-Atlantic and New England will be held to the 70s on Tuesday.
A much welcome reduction in the oppressive humidity will follow by the middle of the week in the wake of the wet weather.
High temperatures that reached the century mark in Baltimore and parts of Philadelphia over the weekend will be replaced by highs in the 80s by midweek.
With much lower humidity accompanying the cooler air, AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures that were between 105 and 115 over the weekend will be replaced with RealFeels in the middle to upper 80s.
For residents sick of the sweltering heat and humidity, the September-like air mass will provide a much safer setting for prolonged, outdoor activities such as hiking, running, biking and golfing.
The pleasant air and dry weather should stick around through at least the end of the week before muggier air begins to creep back into the Northeast by the weekend.
Download the free AccuWeather app for more details on temperature trends in your community. Keep checking back for updates on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
