Severe Thunderstorms Dot the Map Across U.S. Today

Multiple areas of severe weather will be possible today, including portions of the Mid-Atlantic, Ohio and Mississippi valleys, and the Front Range. 

Starting in the East, very warm and humid air will interact with an approaching cold front and upper-air disturbances to produce a scattering of showers and strong thunderstorms this afternoon. 

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in place from Connecticut to northern Virginia, including Hartford, Conn., New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Another Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect from eastern Kentucky to western Pennsylvania. Lexington, Ky., Charleston, W.Va., and Pittsburgh, Penn., are all included in this watch.

The main impacts will be strong wind gusts of 55 to 65 mph, hail larger than a quarter, and heavy downpours. However, an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. 

Another area of severe weather is likely over the Front Range into the Snake River Valley. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for central Idaho, including Boise. Hail is likely to be the biggest threat from these storms.
 
Beyond these watches, a broad stretch of the Plains and Front Range are also at risk for severe thunderstorms this evening. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch stretches along the Red River from the Texas Panhandle to eastern Oklahoma. This includes Wichita Falls, Texas, and Altus, Okla. Cities such as Pueblo, Colo., and Shreveport, La., could see a strong storm tonight.
 
One person was injured when a tree fell on them near Hochatown, Okla., this morning, and Shreveport, La., reported a gust to 64 mph. St. Anthony, Idaho, recorded 71 mph gusts, while Salisbury, Md., saw a gust to 60 mph. Nearly 250,000 people remain without power in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
 
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!”