Torrential storms and flash floods pose a threat to over 25 million individuals residing in the Northeast, cautioning authorities to issue severe weather alerts.
Severe thunderstorms are sweeping across the Northeast, with a severe thunderstorm watch in effect from Maryland to Maine until 8 p.m. ET. The Interstate 95 corridor, including cities like Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston, is included in the watch. Isolated large hail and a brief tornado or two cannot be ruled out, especially for locations in northern New England.
The primary hazard from these thunderstorms is strong, potentially damaging wind gusts. Frequent lightning is also expected, and there is a slim risk of a few brief tornadoes. Flash flooding will be a concern for some areas, with the highest risk in Philadelphia to Bridgeport, Connecticut (Level 2 of 4). Slow-moving thunderstorms with torrential rain could trigger localized flash flooding, especially in urban, poor-drainage areas.
Meanwhile, Hawaii is bracing for Hurricane Kiko, which has been declared a state of emergency. The storm is approaching the islands, and though a cool airfront moving into Hawaii from a front may offer a brief reprieve, it is not expected to last long. Gradual warming is expected in Hawaii throughout next week.
In other weather news, the warming in Hawaii is expected to occur from west to east. Damaging winds, large hail, and lightning will be possible early Saturday evening into the overnight across the affected area. On Sunday evening, parts of northeast Nebraska were under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, including areas near popular tourist spots, with advisories for travelers to take safety precautions. The weather forecast for the following weekend predicts a risk of thunderstorms on Tuesday afternoon and evening, with continued unstable conditions expected in the region.
