After a very wet July, it doesn’t appear the Mid Atlantic can catch a break; more heavy showers and thunderstorms are building and moving through the Mid Atlantic, soaking regions that are already soaked. A short wave trough across the Great Lakes region paired with a stronger trough in south-central Canada are working together to create wet weather conditions. At the surface, a cold front is draped across the eastern Great Lakes while a trough is positioned near the I-95 corridor. Both of these features will play a role in our weather through tonight, although according to the National Weather Service, it looks like the cold front will be slow to arrive. This set-up will continue to fire-up thunderstorms and rain showers in portions of the Mid Atlantic, with cells gradually evolving eastward.
While some cells may create damaging winds, the larger threat is from heavier rains. As one could feel with the heat and humidity today, the air mass is moisture laden. Any convection that fires-up will produce locally very heavy rain which could result in localized flooding.
With soaking rains, frequent lightning, and strong winds, the National Weather Service has flood and severe thunderstorm warnings up for portions of the Mid Atlantic now. More may be possible as the area of showers and storms continue to blossom and head East.
The National Weather Service reminds everyone to “turn around, don’t drown; never drive through flood waters.” For additional flood safety information, visit our Flood Information Center here.
