Residents along the plains and East Coast are facing another threat of severe weather and flooding this Tuesday, following a possible tornado that caused significant damage in western New York just a day prior.
In the central and eastern United States, harsh weather has been a common theme lately, with deadly storms reported in Mississippi and Georgia, along with potential tornado activity in Oklahoma and Virginia.
Texas also experienced severe weather, with winds reaching 100 mph and hail the size of grapefruit.
The Fox Forecast Center notes that as a cold front moves eastward, thunderstorms are expected to develop by the afternoon. The combination of daytime heating and moisture pulled in by southerly winds could exacerbate these storms.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has indicated a level 1 threat for thunderstorms along the East Coast, stretching from Georgia to Massachusetts. This warning encompasses major cities including Savannah, Norfolk, Philadelphia, New York City, and Hartford.
It’s important to remember that just one intense storm can disrupt lives dramatically. It’s wise to stay informed about severe weather alerts, and while downloading the Fox Weather app might be helpful for local notifications, it’s not necessary for everyone.
The forecast suggests that the storms on Tuesday could produce damaging wind gusts. Flash floods also pose a risk, with multiple warnings already issued early Tuesday morning.
Meteorologist Craig Herrera from Fox Weather commented, “Later today, we might see flash floods due to saturated ground, as some storms can bring an inch or two of rain.” He added that storms will be scattered and it’s hard to pinpoint where the highest flood risk will be.
Britta Melwin, another weather meteorologist at Fox, noted, “These intense, isolated storms will happen this afternoon. Not everyone will experience this kind of weather, so it’s tough to identify where the flooding risk is highest.” She also cautioned that urban areas like New York City and Boston should be alert for flooding given the combined factors of saturation and urban development.
Severe Weather and Flooding Concerns in the Plains
There’s rising concern about severe weather and flooding also impacting parts of the Southwest desert and Southern Plains. A disturbance approaching from the Southwest could fuel thunderstorms in the region.
The SPC has placed West Texas and southeastern New Mexico under a level 2 alert on Tuesday’s five-point severe weather scale.
The Fox Forecast Center warns that storm activity may slow down due to atmospheric conditions, which could increase the likelihood of flooding. The NOAA’s Weather Forecast Center has issued flash flood warnings for much of the area, projecting heightened risks through Wednesday and Thursday.
By Thursday, the threat is expected to move eastward towards the Arcratex region. The Fox Prediction Center suggests that places like Point Stockton and El Paso in Texas could experience heightened flash flooding risks due to runoff from intense rainfall, as the ground there is currently very dry and struggles to absorb water quickly enough.
