Global Courant
As the July 4 extended holiday weekend progresses, severe storms will target a broad swath of the US, from New York and Pennsylvania to Arkansas.
On Sunday, 51 million people on the path risk experiencing severe thunderstorms from the afternoon to evening. The risk area includes Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky; Philadelphia; Baltimore; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Washington, DC
The strongest storms will target Kentucky and Tennessee, potentially bringing damaging gusts over 65 mph and hail the size of a ping pong ball — though a tornado or two can’t be ruled out.
Scattered showers will continue through Sunday, with the strongest storms starting after 2 p.m. CT in Kentucky and Tennessee. The threat will continue into the evening and night as the storm line moves into the Appalachians.
Flooding was reported in Clinton County, New York.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the rain over the past 12 hours has created dangerous conditions in certain areas.
“I am closely monitoring the situation and have directed my team to assist local officials as necessary,” Hochul said in a statement on Sunday. “We have already deployed personnel to the State’s Office of Emergency Management to monitor the situation and provide support to local leaders.”
In Chicago, heavy rain caused delays during NASCAR Street Race Weekend.
“We are in a waiting pattern for the #GrantPark220 until conditions improve,” NASCAR tknow Sunday night.
The storm system will target the Carolinas and mid-Atlantic on Monday and will affect 29 million people in Philadelphia; Baltimore; and Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina. Damaging winds, large hail and a tornado or two are possible.
As the July 4 holiday approaches, the northeast and southeast can expect scattered showers and temperatures in the 80s and 90s, respectively.
The Midwest and Rockies may receive rain, while the West will be sunny and dry, with temperatures reaching 70 to 100 degrees.
Heat warnings from coast to coast
About 63 million people from coast to coast remained under heat warnings Sunday afternoon, including those living in Raleigh; Charlotte; Atlanta; Tallahassee, Florida; Montgomery, Alabama; New Orleans; Corpus Christi, Texas; Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Bakersfield and Sacramento, California; and Portland, Ore.
Excessive heat warnings were issued in Mohave, Maricopa, Yuma and eight other Arizona counties.
More than 30 records were threatened Sunday in cities in eight states: Tucson and Phoenix; Tampa and Jacksonville, Florida; Fresno and Palm Springs, California; New Orleans; and Asheville, North Carolina.
On Saturday, temperatures in Tallahassee hit a high of 100 degrees, tying a record set in 1990, according to the National Weather Service. A heat warning was in effect in New Orleans on Sunday.
“Heat indexes of up to 110 are expected,” says de wfood service vizeated. “Practice heat safety and take care of yourself!”
As on Saturday, highs in the Southeast were expected to rise into the 90s, with heat index readings approaching 115 degrees. Fortunately, a passing cold front would likely help bring temperatures closer to seasonal highs for the rest of the holiday week.
In the west, heat warnings continue through Tuesday as afternoon highs range from 100 to 120 degrees. Temperatures will drop to at or below average in California and Arizona in the second half of the week.
Authorities have recorded 18 heat-related deaths in the US since June 18-11 in Webb County, Texas, and two in Caddo Parish, Louisiana.
