Big Thunderstorms to Pepper The East Coast

Mother Nature will be serving up a hot dish of weather today across the Mid-Atlantic. What’s on the menu? Strong to severe thunderstorms capable of packing gusty winds and heavy rain.

The activity today will stem from a slowly passing front across the East Coast mixing with the leftover moisture from Chantel. The muggy, tropical air mass will help to ignite robust thunderstorms later this afternoon into the evening hours. The government’s Storm Predication Center has even placed a Slight Risk across northeastern Virginia, much of Maryland and Delaware, as well as southeastern Pennsylvania, all of New Jersey and the New York metro region.

Several cities at-risk of seeing wind gusts in excess of 50 mph include Richmond, Va., Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Annapolis, Md., Wilmington and Dover, Del., Philadelphia, Newark and Atlantic City, N.J., and New York City.  Severe thunderstorms may also be found across the Carolinas and as far north as southern New England today. Boston, Virginia Beach, Va., Raleigh, N.C., and Columbia, S.C., could all see an isolated robust thunderstorm too.

Additionally, these storms will be capable of producing heavy bursts of rainfall too which may lead to urban flooding in poor drainage areas. In fact, there is a Flood Watch in place across northeastern Virginia, central and northern Maryland into eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. Heavy rain rates in excess of 2 inches per hour, as well as widely scattered daily rain totals of 1 to 3 inches will be possible in these areas. If you come across a flooded roadway, remember to “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!"