Downpour Threat, Not Heat for the East This Week

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

July 21,2013; 4:25PM,EDT

 

 

The return of more frequent showers and thunderstorms to the mid-Atlantic and Northeast will keep the intense heat at bay, but could lead to localized flash flooding.
After a more comfortable end to the weekend across New York and New England, higher humidity will surge back northward through Tuesday.
With the rise in humidity will come the return of showers and thunderstorms from the mid-Atlantic, some of which will be drenching.
Drier and less humid air will quickly return to the St. Lawrence Valley later in the week, while the thunderstorms linger across the mid-Atlantic and eastern New England.
RELATED:
Northeast Regional Radar
Forecast Temperature Maps
Latest Flood Watches, Warnings
In addition to interfering with outdoor activities, any downpours across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast this week threaten to create problems for motorists.
Downpours will dramatically lower visibility, while vehicles traveling at highway speeds will be susceptible to hydroplaning as water ponds on roads.

A localized number of the downpours will cause flash flooding in urban and poor drainage areas, as well as along small streams and creeks.
That is especially true underneath any slow-moving thunderstorm or in places that see repeated rounds of thunderstorms.
Daily thunderstorms and the localized flood threat will prove to be reminiscent to what occurred during much of June into the first few days of July, according to AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
Despite the recent heat wave, rainfall totals are still running well above normal since June 1, throughout the mid-Atlantic and Northeast due to the wet spell in June.

Rainfall From June 1-July 20

City	Total	Percentage of Normal
Boston	10.73 inches	186%
New York City	12.31 inches	169%
Philadelphia	12.48 inches	201%
Pittsburgh	9.60 inches	141%
Baltimore	10.40 inches	172%
Washington, D.C.	14.04 inches	225%
Richmond	10.05 inches	149%

One beneficial aspect of the showers and thunderstorms this week is that the heat will be kept in check.
The week, going forward from Sunday, will pass without places from Philadelphia northward seeing temperatures reach or exceed 90 degrees, while 90-degree days should be limited to one this week in Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
Thumbnail image provided by Photos.com.