Worst of rare, multiday severe storms in Northeast brewing as thousands already left without power
As threats continue on Wednesday, the FOX Forecast Center said this will likely be the day with the most damaging wind reports and the greatest potential for power outages.
Damaging winds, tornadoes threaten Northeast as severe storms persist
A Level 2 out of 5 severe storm threat persists across portions of the Northeast on Wednesday, with the multiday weather event bringing ongoing risks of heavy rain, damaging winds and tornadoes. FOX Weather meteorologist Craig Herrera breaks down what to expect:
THE TAKEAWAY
- An active weather pattern is locking in across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic this week, packing rounds of nasty storms each day.
- Storms erupted on Tuesday, producing damaging winds and heavy rain.
- A Level 2 out of 5 severe storm threat is in place for portions of the Northeast through Friday.
As several disturbances ride along the northern edge of a heat dome anchored over the Central Mississippi Valley, a stormy stretch has taken shape across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Great Lakes, with an increased threat of severe storms capable of destructive winds, large hail and perhaps a tornado or two.
By early Wednesday morning, more than 65,000 customers were without power across Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, with additional outages and damage possible as storms continue today, along with an ongoing risk of flash flooding.
The multiday severe-weather marathon erupted Tuesday, with numerous Severe Thunderstorm Warnings across Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey as storms brought damaging winds and heavy rain.
Flash flooding occurred across eastern Pennsylvania, while wind gusts topped 55 mph and trees and power lines came down.
As of right now, a Level 2 out of 5 severe storm threat has been issued through Friday for portions of the region.
This is likely the first time areas like Philadelphia have been under a Level 2 out of 5 storm threat for three consecutive days in September since 2023.
The last occurrence in 2023 was the only other time, along with a stretch in 2008, where a span of severe weather days had occurred, making this a rather rare stretch for some, the FOX Forecast Center said.
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As threats continue on Wednesday, the FOX Forecast Center said this will likely be the day with the most damaging wind reports and the greatest potential for power outages.
Wednesday
As clouds and early morning storms begin to break up, enough heating should develop through the afternoon to create a warm, humid, and increasingly unstable atmosphere, and with a more potent upper-level disturbance moving across the region, it will provide the support needed for storms to re-organize later in the day.
(FOX Weather)
The main threats will be damaging wind gusts and large hail, although a couple of tornadoes will also be possible in the strongest storms.
Flash flooding will also be likely, especially across central New York and Pennsylvania, where amounts of moisture will pool up, allowing for storms to produce high rain rates of up to 2 inches per hour and rain totals exceeding 3 inches in some locations.
Thursday and Friday
On Thursday, the heat dome to the south will continue to strengthen and shift back west, while more dips in the jet stream will deepen along the East Coast, creating a more favorable pattern for severe thunderstorms across the Mid-Atlantic and eventually the Carolinas.
In addition, numerous record high temperatures will be possible in the exact areas expecting storms.
(FOX Weather)
Thursday's severe threats shift slightly farther south in the Mid-Atlantic, encompassing Washington, D.C. Storms may develop near the Delmarva or areas farther west along boundaries left behind by earlier storms.
"All the ingredients from the previous two days will come back into play as we head into Labor Day Weekend," the FOX Forecast Center noted.
Come Friday, another round of severe storms is likely as the dip in the jet stream strengthens further across the East Coast. The focus may shift into the southern Mid-Atlantic states, where damaging wind gusts would be the primary concern yet again.
By Saturday, some severe potential could linger farther south across the Carolinas before the pattern breaks down.