Dry weather to dominate July Fourth weekend from Chicago to NYC, Boston

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist

June 30,2016; 2:09PM,EDT

 

 

While downpours could come calling at the start and finish of the July Fourth weekend in the northeastern United States, the vast majority of the time will be dry.
On Friday, a storm system moving from west to east may tug just enough moisture up from the Southern states to produce afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. A few of the storms in the region could become heavy and gusty.

A reinforcing push of less humid air will take over on Saturday and hold through Sunday over the much of the region. At least partial sunshine is in the offing both days.
Very spotty and brief showers may dot northern New England and northeastern New York state on Saturday.
"Extreme heat and high humidity will be suppressed in most areas from the Great Lakes to the Northeast," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski.

"In much of the Northeast, the start of the Fourth of July weekend will be noticeably different, compared to how the Memorial Day weekend began, when highs were in the 90s F," Pydynowski said.
The air will be noticeably cooler over the interior Northeast and around the Great Lakes, especially at night. Temperatures can slip into the 40s and lower 50s over the mountains. Folks camping out this weekend may want to pack a jacket for the evening and a blanket for the overnight hours. Daytime highs will be mainly in the 70s.
"Temperatures will be fairly typical along the Interstate 95 corridor for early July, where the weather will be warm enough for shorts and short sleeves," Pydynowski said.
Highs from Boston to New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia, will be in the 80s each day.
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Around the Great Lakes, at least three of the four days are likely to feature sunshine. Friday will be the the coolest day around Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland with highs in the 70s. Temperatures will gradually trend upward Saturday and Sunday.
In addition to the Great Lakes region, the sunniest places will be at the beach during Saturday and Sunday. An afternoon sea breeze will be light and highly localized in the mid-Atlantic, where those heading to the beach should not have to worry about their umbrella blowing away. However, a land breeze could be stiff enough to be an annoyance at times on Massachusetts and New Hampshire beaches. Surf temperatures range from near 60 along the New Hampshire coast to 75 in Virginia.
On July 4, rain and thunderstorms gathering over parts of the Ohio and Tennessee valleys will spread across part of the mid-Atlantic.

Downpours could occur at any time in Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, northern Maryland, southern Illinois and central and southeastern Indiana during Monday. The rainfall could creep northeastward into portions of Pennsylvania, Delaware and southern New Jersey during the afternoon and evening.
Despite increasing cloudiness, there is still the chance of salvaging a day at the beach in Delaware and New Jersey on Monday.
Possible rain and thunderstorms could cause trouble with planned fireworks displays during Monday evening in parts of the mid-Atlantic, including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
A slight northward shift in the moisture could bring downpours into Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland during the Fourth of July. For now, it appears dry weather will hold through the evening around New York City.
The day and evening hours will remain dry and generally clear in New England, upstate New York on July 4.