Powerful Storms Rumble Across The U.S. Tonight

From the Northeast to Deep South and Great Plains, severe thunderstorms will persist tonight, with all modes of severe weather possible.

An upper-level disturbance will continue to foster robust thunderstorm development tonight across the East Coast southwestward toward the Gulf Coast. A cold front associated with the slow-moving system will drag across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas into the central Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast. This is where the government’s Storm Prediction Center has placed a Slight Risk for severe weather, including the cities of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Richmond, Va., Raleigh, N.C., Columbia, S.C., Columbus, Ga., Dothan, Ala., and Jackson, Miss.

Thanks to the instability present, thunderstorms will be capable of producing high wind gusts and large hail. In fact, an isolated tornado or two cannot be ruled out across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast as well this evening. Alas, wind gusts exceeding 50 mph will be the main threat tonight with any of the more robust thunderstorms.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect for extreme southeastern Arkansas and northeast Louisiana, including Bastrop, La. 

Another Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for southeastern Alabama, parts of the Florida Panhandle, and southwestern Georgia. Cities include Dothan, Ala., Bainbridge and Valdosta, Ga., and Tallahassee and Apalachicola, Fla. 

Other areas at-risk for severe weather include the Intermountain West thanks to an increase in moisture amid a pair of disturbances spinning overhead.

Additionally, repeated heavy rounds of thunderstorms may lead to flash flooding across portions of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast today. As such, Flood Watches are in effect across southern New York into eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware. Storms will be capable of producing rain rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour with rain totals up to 2.5 inches possible. Should you come across a road that is flooded, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”

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!”