Severe Storms Take Aim At the Northeast Saturday

Brian Donegan
Published: August 6,2016
Severe thunderstorms with large hail and damaging winds will take aim at parts of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic
An EF0 tornado was confirmed in New Orleans Thursday afternoon, with winds estimated around 80 mph.
There was also a preliminary report of an EF1 tornado near Yulee, Florida,  Thursday afternoon with esimated winds of 90-100 mph resulting in tree and property damage.
(MORE: Building Collapses Reported in New Orleans as Severe Storms Hit City)
More tornado reports came in from Omaha, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, Thursday evening, but no damage was reported from those.
(MORE: Omaha, Council Bluffs Residents Spot Skinny Tornado)

Current Radar with Watches and Warnings

(MORE: View National Interactive Radar Map | Difference Between a Watch and a Warning)
Below is our latest forecast on the timing and magnitude of the severe threats into Saturday.

Severe Weather Forecast

Saturday

• Forecast: Once again, a few severe storms have developed ahead of the cold front. The storm threat should be coming to an end by the end of the evening. 
• Threats: Damaging winds and large hail possible.
• Cities: Boston | New York | Philadelphia | Portland, Maine

Saturday's Thunderstorm Forecast

Storm Reports

On Wednesday, there were reports of a tornado on the ground in far northern North Dakota, near Agate. Some damage to farm buildings was reported in the area. More reports of tornadoes came in later Wednesday evening from Devils Lake, North Dakota.
Thursday morning the storms produced a 67 mph wind gust in Duluth, Minnesota.

Severe Weather Setup

A disturbance in the upper atmosphere will ride eastward along the jet stream late this week. Meanwhile, a cold front at the surface will interact with this disturbance, and thunderstorms will form ahead of the cold front.

Where the upper disturbance and cold front position themselves each day will be the area to watch for the development of severe thunderstorms.
A widespread area of severe weather is unexpected, but scattered activity is likely to develop ahead of the cold front where a warm, humid air mass will be in place.

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PHOTOS: Plains, Midwest Mid-June 2016 Severe Weather and Flooding