Millions under multiday flood threat across Ohio Valley, Northeast as sweltering heat fuels summer storms
An area of high pressure off the East Coast is drawing moisture northward from the Gulf and Atlantic, increasing humidity and helping fuel daily afternoon thunderstorms through the weekend.
Thunderstorms, oppressive humidity grip Ohio Valley & Northeast, placing millions under flood threat
Oppressive humidity has blanketed the Northeast and Ohio Valley ahead of another round of afternoon thunderstorms expected for the region Thursday, part of a multiday storm threat placing millions under a flash flood risk through Sunday.
Millions of people across the Northeast and Ohio Valley face a flash flood risk through Sunday as oppressive humidity fuels rounds of daily thunderstorms across the already waterlogged region.
JULY 29, 2026: Flooding on Central Avenue in Albany trapped cars near the Colonie town line. Historic rainfall left roads underwater across parts of eastern New York this week. More than 11 inches of rain fell in parts of Rensselaer and Columbia counties, with widespread flooding reported across the Capital Region and Hudson Valley.
(Will Waldron/Albany Times Union via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The cold front that brought heavy rain and flooding across the Midwest is slowly shifting east. Ahead of the front, thunderstorms will develop in the afternoons across the Northeast.
An area of high pressure off the East Coast is drawing tropical moisture northward from the Gulf and Atlantic, creating very muggy conditions.
Feels-like temperatures will be around 100 degrees before afternoon storms develop, prompting the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue Heat Advisories through Friday evening for much of the Interstate 95 corridor, including Philadelphia, New York and Boston.
Heat Alerts
(FOX Weather)
The humidity is also enhancing daily afternoon thunderstorms. Philadelphia recorded almost an inch of rain in 20 minutes Wednesday.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, rainfall rates of up to 2.5 inches per hour will be possible within the strongest storms.
HOW HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE DRIVE THE WEATHER
NOAA's Weather Prediction Center (WPC) issued a broad Level 1 out of 4 risk of flash flooding Thursday covering much of the Ohio Valley and interior Northeast, including Cleveland, Buffalo, New York, and Pittsburgh.
(FOX Weather)
Washington, D.C. and New York City are also included in this flood risk.
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a Level 1 out of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms Thursday across a corridor from the Mid-Atlantic to the interior Northeast including Washington, D.C., Scranton, Pennsylvania, as well as Syracuse and Albany, New York.
Damaging wind gusts are expected to be the primary threat.
(FOX Weather)
Even stronger thunderstorms could erupt along the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic coasts on Friday as the cold front stalls across the eastern U.S.
"Through the weekend, rainfall totals of 0.5-1 inch are likely across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with localized amounts exceeding 1-2 inches where thunderstorms repeatedly move over the same locations," the FOX Forecast Center said.
The flash flood threat extends across parts of the region through the weekend and those with outdoor plans will have to contend with rounds of rain.
(SOURCE GOES HERE)
This follows torrential downpours that slammed the Northeast Monday amid an already stormy summer for much of the region.
Albany, New York, has recorded more than 5 inches of rain above average this summer, following a Flash Flood Emergency that swamped parts of the state's Capital Region last week.
Heavy rain falls at train station in Newark, New Jersey
Heavy downpours come down at a train station in Newark, New Jersey, on Monday night.
Bridgeport, Connecticut, has seen more than 7 inches of rainfall above average since June 1.
The stormy pattern is expected to ease Sunday evening.