July 4th fireworks: Where will the weather be best for the spectacular shows?
A large part of the United States will escape nature’s fireworks ruining shows on Wednesday evening, but steamy air is expected to remain in firm control from the Plains to the East.
Most of the widely separated drenching thunderstorms that dotted the Midwest and Northeast during the day on July Fourth are expected to dissipate before nightfall and evening fireworks displays. Warmth and humidity will remain, creating sticky conditions.
One potential problem may be where calm winds prevent smoke from quickly clearing out, which can make fireworks later in the shows more difficult to view.
"Where rain falls around or shortly before dusk, patch fog may form as well," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
The higher the humidity, the duller the colors the fireworks can be.
Across the South, thunderstorms are likely to become less numerous as the evening progresses. However, some communities may have to contend with lingering showers and thunderstorms disrupting their shows.
Worse than ruining fireworks and other holiday festivities, thunderstorms that sweep across the northern Plains on Wednesday evening can turn severe.
Dry weather and good viewing conditions are expected across most of the West. However, residents should abide by fireworks bans and use extreme caution with sparklers to prevent a destructive wildfire from igniting and ruining the holiday.
Below are more detailed weather conditions for major fireworks displays across the country.
New York City
“If people head out early to get a good spot for the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, they should be prepared for hot and humid conditions with highs in the middle 80s to around 90,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Steve Travis said.
A stray shower or thunderstorm may be around, so be prepared to seek shelter.
The overall coverage of thunderstorms will tend to diminish during the evening hours, so it is unlikely that it would rain long enough to cancel the show.
“It will be a warm and humid evening with temperatures still around 80 at the start of the fireworks,” Travis said.
Boston
Similar to New York City, any isolated thunderstorm around the Boston area on Wednesday afternoon is expected to dissipate prior to the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.
Sticky air will hold firm with temperatures not far from 80 when the show commences.
Fireworks shoot from the Hatch Shell as confetti falls during the annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Esplanade, Tuesday, July 4, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Washington, D.C.
As the National Mall Fourth of July Celebration fireworks show begins right around nightfall, temperatures can still be in the middle to lower 80s with high humidity creating a muggy feel to the evening.
No thunderstorms are expected to delay or postpone the show.
Chicago
Similar to the cities in the Northeast, most thunderstorm activity around Chicagoland is expected to leave before fireworks light up the sky over Navy Pier on Wednesday evening. The fireworks will be in sync with a score of patriotic music.
Temperatures will not be far from the day’s average high of 84 during the show. The millions of viewers will want to keep water bottles handy to battle the stifling humidity.
Houston
“A storm with deep tropical moisture will wash out July Fourth festivities in Houston with heavy rain and some thunder,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Maggie Samuhel said.
Evening fireworks may be in jeopardy due to extensive flooding from the downpours and if the departure of the rain is delayed.
Minneapolis
Heat and humidity fueled locally severe thunderstorms in Minneapolis during the day on Independence Day. There is the risk of more showers and thunderstorms erupting during the evening hours can put fireworks in jeopardy.
Anyone spending the holiday outdoors will want to enable audible alerts on cell phones to receive severe weather bulletins as they are issued. As soon as thunder is heard, be sure to seek shelter.
Residents and visitors may have to settle on nature’s fireworks if officials deem the weather too hazardous to let Wednesday’s evening show proceed as planned.
Seattle
Clouds may be streaming over Seattle on Wednesday evening but are not expected to produce rain and impact the SCCA Safari Summer 4th’s fireworks show.
The evening will be pleasant with temperatures in the lower 70s.
San Diego
Heat is expected to build across Southern California later in the week, but that will occur after San Diego’s Big Bay Boom show on Wednesday evening.
Temperatures will comfortably dip into the upper 60s for the fireworks display.
Only if low clouds and fog spread back onto the coast earlier than expected would smoke shroud the fireworks.
If you are celebrating Independence Day with your own fireworks show, be sure to follow all safety tips to avoid closing out the holiday in the hospital.
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