Severe storms, flash flood threat target 85M+ along I-95 covering Washington, DC, Philadelphia and New York
According to the FOX Forecast Center, rain rates could reach up to 2 inches per hour on Tuesday, enhanced by the heavy tropical moisture left behind from the remnants of Tropical Depression Chantal.
Severe thunderstorms taking aim at I-95 corridor, Northeast
Severe storms capable of producing flash flooding are eyeing the northeast, with thunderstorms taking shape through Tuesday evening. New York, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia are all in the threat zone.
PHILADELPHIA – Washington, Philadelphia and New York City will likely see periods of heavy rain in addition to potentially damaging wind gusts beginning Tuesday afternoon as severe storms fire up over more than 85 million people across the heavily traveled Interstate 95 corridor ahead of and during the evening commute.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, rain rates could reach up to 2 inches per hour, enhanced by the heavy tropical moisture left behind from the remnants of Tropical Depression Chantal.
The combination of heat, severe storms and flooding risk have painted the Northeast with three concurrent weather alerts.
The high humidity combined with a heat index over 90 degrees, will create muggy and oppressive conditions ahead of the storms. Heat alerts have been issued for most of the Eastern Seaboard covering over 50 million people.
The intensity of the rain has also prompted Flash Flood Watches for parts of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic beginning Tuesday afternoon, including New York City, parts of New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
A Flash Flood Warning was in place for Berks County in eastern Pennsylvania after progressive rainfall rates. The warning remains in effect through 8:15 p.m.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was also in effect for a majority of the Northeast through Tuesday evening.
Areas from New York City to Washington, D.C. and all the way to central and eastern Virginia are under watch for severe storms.
HISTORIC TEXAS FLOODING DEATH TOLL SURPASSES 100 AS DESPERATE SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS ENTERS FIFTH DAY
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) have already issued Ground Delay programs due to thunderstorms and wind Tuesday afternoon.
Storms are expected to begin mid-Tuesday afternoon ahead of a cold front that will move through the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states.
The main threats are expected to be damaging wind gusts and small hail.
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a Level 2 out 5 risk of severe thunderstorms over just south of Richmond, Virginia to just north of New York City.
Flash flood threat covers mid-Atlantic and Northeast into Wednesday morning
NOAA's Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has issued a Level 2 out of 4 Flash Flood Risk covering an area from Richmond, Virginia to Boston.
The flood risk is being driven by rain rates that could reach 2 inches per hour, enhanced by the tropical moisture left behind by Tropical Depression Chantal's remnants, which have moved off the East Coast after bringing flooding to North Carolina.
Soils are also already saturated across parts of Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, which received a first round of rain on Monday.
NORTH CAROLINA HIT WITH FLOODING, WATER RESCUES AFTER HEAVY RAIN FROM TROPICAL DEPRESSION CHANTAL
The flood threat will last through Wednesday morning.