Flooding Thunderstorm Threat: DC to Raleigh

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

August 13,2013; 9:14PM,EDT

 

 

Thunderstorms capable of producing flooding downpours and/or gusty winds are set to return to New England and the mid-Atlantic on Tuesday.
As of 12:30 p.m. EDT, this storm system has flooded roads and homes throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Emergency managers in Ritchie County, W. Va., reported multiple water rescues and said a camper park has been isolated by flood water. Cloud rotations were spotted on radar as storms tore through Burlington County, N.J., downing trees in its path.
Flooding downpours will be the main concern in this entire corridor. Low-lying and poor drainage areas will be most susceptible to flooding.
There is a risk for gusty winds as well with the most intense thunderstorms, but it will be highest in the mid-Atlantic region. This includes Washington D.C., Richmond, Va. and Raleigh, N.C.

The threats will remain in these regions through Tuesday evening.
Drenching thunderstorms could also create hazards to motorists by reducing visibility and heightening the risk of vehicles hydroplaning at highway speeds.
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While not every thunderstorm will trigger flooding or strong winds, all should prompt residents and visitors to move inside. Remember as soon as thunder is heard, you are close enough to get struck by lightning.
The culprit behind the drenching and gusty thunderstorms across New England and the mid-Atlantic on Tuesday is a cold front that will first drop through the Great Lakes on Monday.

In the wake of the front, drier and less humid air will pour across the Northeast for Wednesday and Thursday and once again suppress any summer heat that was attempting to surge northward.
Wednesday may actually feel cool to some in the St. Lawrence Valley and eastern Great Lakes where highs will be held to around 70 degrees.
The front, however, will struggle to make much more southward progress after reaching North Carolina, keeping the chance of thunderstorms in the forecast for Richmond and surrounding areas for the remainder of the week.