A line of strong to severe thunderstorms is likely tomorrow in the Northeast and Mid Atlantic as a robust frontal slides through. While this storm system will set the stage for yet another significant April snowstorm over portions of the Northeast, severe storms with damaging winds and hail are possible along a line from New York to North Carolina and points east.
According to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, given the linear forcing of the front, storms will likely grow upscale into a low-topped line fairly quickly. Most computer model guidance suggests this line will develop by early afternoon from central Virginia to Pennsylvania and then move quickly eastward across the I-95 corridor before continuing offshore. Given the forecast strength of the low to mid-level flow, some threat for strong to damaging winds via convective downdraft and mixing processes is apparent with the line of storms.
The nearly north-south line of storms should be centered near central Pennsylvania by 11am, eastern Pennsylvania by noon, the I-95 corridor by 2pm, and the New York/Connecticut border by 3pm.
Beyond frequent lightning and flash floods, severe thunderstorms can have wind gusts of 58 mph or higher. Winds at these speeds can knock down trees and wires, creating power outages.
