Gusty Storms Eye New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Central U.S.

Dangerous weather will pepper parts of New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and central U.S. to end the workweek. Damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes will be on the weather menu.

A cold front will sink southward throughout the day and will cut into the building heat and humidity throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic. This front is initiating thunderstorm development already this afternoon with a few robust thunderstorms rolling as far south as southern New Jersey, northern Maryland, and the Delmarva Peninsula by this evening and early tonight.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect in eastern Pennsylvania, northern Delaware, New Jersey, southern New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and parts of Massachusetts. New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Hartford, Conn., and Atlantic City, N.J. are included.

The main risk is for severe wind gusts that could be as strong as 70 mph. A tornado or two and an instance of large hail are threats that cannot be ruled out.

The government's Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk for areas of the Mid-Atlantic into New England. This includes cities such as Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. Wind gusts in excess of 60 mph and heavy downpours will be the primary threats from thunderstorms today. 

A secondary area of concern for severe weather today can be found across the northern Plains. The Storm Prediction Center has placed much of the state of North Dakota inside a Slight Risk. All modes of severe weather are possible this afternoon including isolated tornadoes. 

A third Slight Risk has been issued for northeast Kansas and western Missouri including Kansas City, Emporia, Kan., and St. Joseph, Mo. Robust storms could favor a few brief tornadoes and the risk of damaging severe wind gusts.

Make sure to know the difference between a watch and a warning should they become issued. A watch means that conditions are favorable for severe weather to occur and to be on alert for any rapidly changing conditions. A warning means that severe weather is imminent, and you should act fast to remain safe.

The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water and non-perishable food items should you be without power for long periods of time. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on today’s severe weather. Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”