Fourth of July forecast includes stormy weather for these travel hotspots
Long-range forecasts indicate that a cold front may bring widespread storms to the northern Plains and Southeastern US on the Fourth, and there is even an outside potential for a home-grown tropical system to develop close to the Southeast coast during the holiday weekend, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
Record Fourth of July travel expected amidst tropical weather concerns
With just one week until the Fourth of July, a record-breaking 72.2 million Americans are preparing to travel for the holiday, according to AAA. To help vacationers navigate possible weather disruptions during this busy travel period, FOX Weather is joined by Melanie Fish, a travel expert with Vrbo, who offers essential tips for preparing for and mitigating weather impacts.
With the Fourth of July fast approaching, a record-breaking 72.2 million Americans are preparing to travel for the holiday, according to AAA.
However, long-range forecasts indicate that a cold front may bring widespread storms to the northern Plains and Southeastern US on the Fourth, and there is even an outside potential for a home-grown tropical system to develop close to the Southeast coast during the holiday weekend, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
The record-breaking number of expected travelers is due in part to the holiday falling on a Friday this year, creating a built-in three-day weekend for many, Melanie Fish, a travel expert with Vrbo, told FOX Weather.
CARIBBEAN MONITORED FOR POSSIBLE TROPICAL DEVELOPMENT AHEAD OF FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY
(FOX Weather)
Ahead of America's 249th birthday, thunderstorms are expected to develop across the Northeastern portion of the Interstate 95 corridor on Tuesday and could potentially impact flights at some of the country's busiest air travel hubs.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the nation's busiest, could also see storms on Tuesday as afternoon thunderstorms could fire across the Southeast and southern Plains ahead of the aforementioned cold front.
![FILE - WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 2: American flags are displayed on the lawn of the National Mall with the U.S. Capitol Building in the background at sunset on June 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)]()
Image 1 of 7FILE - WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 2: American flags are displayed on the lawn of the National Mall with the U.S. Capitol Building in the background at sunset on June 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. ((Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images))
![FILE - LAGUNA BEACH, CA - July 04: Drones form a message in the sky during the city's July 4th celebration in Laguna Beach, CA on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)]()
Image 2 of 7FILE - LAGUNA BEACH, CA - July 04: Drones form a message in the sky during the city's July 4th celebration in Laguna Beach, CA on Thursday, July 4, 2024. ((Photo by Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images))
![FILE - SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA -JULY 4: People celebrate the 4th of July along the La Jolla coast on a hot summer day on July 4, 2023 in San Diego, California. San Diego is a top destination for summer travel. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)]()
Image 3 of 7FILE - SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA -JULY 4: People celebrate the 4th of July along the La Jolla coast on a hot summer day on July 4, 2023 in San Diego, California. San Diego is a top destination for summer travel. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images) ((Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images))
![FILE - Wonder Wheel at Luna Park in Coney Island in New York, United States of America, on July 4th, 2024. (Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)]()
Image 4 of 7FILE - Wonder Wheel at Luna Park in Coney Island in New York, United States of America, on July 4th, 2024. (Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images) ((Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
![FILE - SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 28: An Alaska Airlines SkyWest Embraer E175LR aircraft approaches San Diego International Airport for a landing from San Luis Obispo as traffic on southbound Interstate 5 slows during the afternoon commute heading into downtown San Diego on June 28, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)]()
Image 5 of 7FILE - SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 28: An Alaska Airlines SkyWest Embraer E175LR aircraft approaches San Diego International Airport for a landing from San Luis Obispo as traffic on southbound Interstate 5 slows during the afternoon commute heading into downtown San Diego on June 28, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images) ((Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images))
![FILE- WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 30: Motorists drive in traffic on Interstate 395, the Southwest Freeway, on June 30, 2022 in Washington, DC. The Fourth of July holiday weekend is expected to see an increase in traffic with an estimated 42 million people expected to take a road trip on the long weekend, according to AAA. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)]()
Image 6 of 7FILE- WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 30: Motorists drive in traffic on Interstate 395, the Southwest Freeway, on June 30, 2022 in Washington, DC. The Fourth of July holiday weekend is expected to see an increase in traffic with an estimated 42 million people expected to take a road trip on the long weekend, according to AAA. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) ((Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images))
![]()
Image 7 of 7CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 03: Passengers wait in line to check in for flights at O'Hare airport on July 03, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. With an estimated 70 million Americans leaving home for the holiday, TSA predicts it could be one of the busiest travel periods ever at the nation’s airports. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) ((Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images))
Dry conditions are expected to return to the Northeast, Midwest and northern Plains by Wednesday.
The Northeast, mid-Atlantic and most of the country west of the Rocky Mountains will be dry on the holiday itself.
Meanwhile, Independence Day fireworks displays and barbecues could be dampened in the front-range of the Rockies, the Midwest, and the Southeast.
The vast majority of the country will not see extreme heat during the holiday weekend.
Wet holiday weekend for Southeastern US, tropical system could potentially form
According to the FOX Forecast Center, early forecast models show that a stalled cold front will drape over the southeastern US, from Louisiana to North Carolina, beginning on the Fourth of July and lasting through the weekend.
(FOX Weather)
While it has been a slow start to the hurricane season in the Atlantic basin, warm waters conducive for tropical development remain in the Gulf and off the coast of the southeastern US.
The presence of an area of low pressure in this region has created a non-zero chance for the development of a tropical system.
Regardless of development, tropical moisture will enhance rainfall totals through Independence Day weekend for the Southeast.
BRYAN NORCROSS: AN AREA TO WATCH IN THE SOUTHERN GULF
Travel HQ
FOX Weather is your Travel HQ. Stay updated with the latest airport and road conditions with the graphics below or download the FOX Weather app.
(FOX Weather)
(FOX Weather)