Fourth of July Fireworks Outlook

It’s almost the Fourth of July, which means time to celebrate our nation’s independence with barbecues, picnics, parades and lots of fireworks. The Fourth of July fireworks won’t be the only light show though as Mother Nature will also be joining in on the festivities.

Whether you’re headed out for the fireworks, or plan on enjoying them from the comfort of your own home (and the A.C. of course!), here’s the scoop on the weather once the sun goes down.

The greatest weather concerns in the evening for the Fourth of July will occur in the nation’s midsection. An upper-level weather system and associated cold front will be pushing across the central U.S. Widespread rain and thunderstorms will still be found in the interior Northwest, Rockies and Plains once the sun goes down.

People in the north-central U.S. will need to be on the lookout for heavy rain and strong to severe thunderstorms. This would include anyone in Seward, Neb., which has a long-standing tradition of celebrating the Fourth in its town square since 1868! It would also include Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota or big gatherings in Minneapolis.

Cities like American Fork, Utah, Independence and Liberty, Mo., and Eagle Pass, Texas, will also be dodging rain drops in the evening, while lightning could cause some concerns for firework watchers in places like Cheyenne, Wyo., Denver, Oklahoma City and the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. While not a significant chance, anyone outdoors in Milwaukee, Wis., Indianapolis and New Orleans should pay close attention to any developing thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, Florida will be under the influence of a tropical disturbance that is bringing plenty of moisture to the region. Rain and thunderstorms will be more numerous earlier in the day. However, lingering showers and storms could threaten firework celebrations in Orlando, Tampa and Miami.

High pressure will keep the Western U.S. and the rest of the East clear and quiet on the evening of the 4th. This would mean no weather concerns for places like Franklin, Mass., Freedom and Washington Crossing, Pa., Independence, Va., Liberty Center, Mich., Justice, Ill., Libertyville, Iowa, Star Valley and Flagstaff, Ariz., and Freedom, Calif. It would also mean smooth sailing for the biggest firework displays in Boston, New York City, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas and Los Angeles. And who could forget Philadelphia!

Most of the U.S. will have to battle temperatures still in the 80s and 90s when they head out for show. It will be cooler in the Northwest and Northeast, where a light jacket might be needed as temperatures range from the 60s and 70s. People in the typical hot spots of the Southern U.S. should pack plenty of water as there will still be triple digit heat in the Desert Southwest and far south-central U.S.