Severe thunderstorms are looming once again over the United States this week and have been forecasted by meteorologists to continue until next week. The renewed severe weather is expected to impact millions of Americans in the central and eastern states. There is a potential risk of large hail and isolated tornadoes, in addition to heavy rain and flooding.
In recent days, the stormy weather in the eastern U.S. killed at least two people, with one dying from a lightning strike and the other struck by a falling tree, according to reports. The U.S. severe weather also caused widespread disruption including thousands of delayed flights and power outage to almost a million homes and businesses.
The severe storms coincide with several weeks of scorching temperatures in different parts of the country, especially the Southwest. The dangerous heat has also persisted in the southern tier of the U.S., including Florida and the Gulf Coast, according to the National Weather Service. Meanwhile, monsoon showers are also forecasted in the Four Corners region.
SPC Severe Weather Forecast
On its severe weather forecast on Friday, August 11, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) stated a shortwave trough and mid-level flow are expected to flow eastward across the middle or upper Mississippi Valley and into the Upper Great Lakes and Ohio Valley on Monday, August 14. Thunderstorms are also possible along the coast of the Mid-Atlantic region, the SPC adds.
This weekend, the storm system will move further eastward to impact dozens of states, ranging from New England to the Ohio Valley. Prior to the coming week, lightning strikes and damaging winds that can topple trees and block roads are the main threat posed by the severe thunderstorms. In previous cases, death from falling trees and electrocution have been reported during these situations.
Also Read: East Coast Severe Weather: Thunderstorms Causes Widespread Air Travel Disruption
Monsoonal Moisture
In the West Coast, monsoonal moisture will return in the Four Corners region, leading to "afternoon thunderstorms" with the potential for localized heavy rain, according to the NWS. At the start of 2023, a phenomenon called 'atmospheric river' fueled by monsoonal moisture drenched the same region, including California, of much needed rainfall amid drought conditions.
The current summer season, which started in June, led to the highest temperatures in modern record, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration highlighting the month was marked by heatwaves and severe weather.
Experts from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information said June surpassed previous high temperature records for some parts of the U.S., while other locations were gripped by severe thunderstorms and poor air quality.
In the coming days leading to Monday, flight disruptions are possible across the East Coast due to the inclement weather. According to FlightAware, around 30,000 flights were delayed and 3,500 other domestic and international flights were cancelled in the U.S. this week alone.
Furthermore, temperatures may continue to spike from southern California to Florida.
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