Dangerous Storms Take Aim At East Coast, High Plains

Two separate areas will be at risk for severe weather today, threatening anyone with outdoor plans for the end of the weekend. Use caution if you are in the East Coast or High Plains today.

A low pressure system will drift across southeastern Canada today, dragging a cold front through the Eastern U.S. Very warm, humid air will be found ahead of the cold front, while cooler and drier air filters in behind it. This collision of air masses will be where thunderstorms fire up through later this evening.

The government’s Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk that extends between North Carolina and southern New Jersey. Cities within this Slight Risk include Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Richmond, Va., and Raleigh, N.C. Here, the main concern within thunderstorms will be damaging wind gusts exceeding 57 mph. However, isolated large hail and a tornado or two cannot be ruled out.

Severe Thunderstorm Watches stretch from northeastern North Carolina to New Jersey, including several of the major cities along Interstate 95, including Richmond, Va., Washington, D.C.,  and Baltimore.

Anyone along the Eastern Seaboard from the Northeast to the Carolinas should keep an eye out on darkening skies. Wind gusts exceeding 50 mph and small hail will be possible in these spots.

As if that weren’t enough, there will be another area of the nation at risk of severe weather today. A warm front will be lifting north across the north-central U.S. ahead of a developing low pressure system. This warm front will bring rising temperatures and increasing moisture, leading to unstable atmosphere by this afternoon and evening.

The best chance for severe weather will be across eastern Montana and far western North Dakota, where a second Slight Risk has been posted. Though, the entire Front Range and High Plains regions will be susceptible to dangerous thunderstorms. This includes Great Falls, Billings and Glasgow, Mont., Minot and Bismarck, N.D., Rapid City, S.D., Cheyenne, Wyo., Scottsbluff, Neb., and Denver, Pueblo and Durango, Colo. Thunderstorms here could produce destructive winds of 60 to 70 mph and quarter-sized hail or larger.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect across southwestern Montana, incluing Bozeman and Lewistown. 

Make sure to know the difference between a watch and a warning should they become issued. A watch means that conditions are favorable for severe weather to occur and to be on alert for any rapidly changing conditions. A warning means that severe weather is imminent, and you should act fast to remain safe.

The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water and non-perishable food items should you be without power for long periods of time. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on today’s severe weather. Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”