The start of the Independence Day weekend in the northeastern United States may be hampered by stormy weather, but the good news for those expecting to see a fireworks display on the celebration itself is that the weather will gradually improve across the majority of the region as the long weekend develops.
Because of the robust character of the system, fears of a cold front descending in and slamming the brakes over the mid-Atlantic are fading.
However, that bigger system will bring heavy rain and thunderstorms to tens of millions of people over the early half of the weekend.
Independence day weather
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The Fourth of July weekend is one of the biggest travel weekends of the year. According to AAA, an estimated 48 million people will travel for holiday weekend celebrations, and the weather will play a significant part in influencing outdoor plans, as per The Washington Post.
The heat will be the main story in many locations throughout the long weekend, but storms will be scattered over the country's center. A handful of them might be severe, with destructive winds.
Another prominent story is the severe drought gripping the West, with parched vegetation and abundant dried-out fuels turning half of the Lower 48 into a veritable tinderbox.
Fireworks have traditionally increased wildfire occurrence around Independence Day, and officials are encouraging people to avoid lighting off fireworks in high-risk locations.
The main topic for the western United States will be a fire risk, both natural and caused by fireworks misuse or outdoor fires when camping.
This is due to a years-long drought that shows little signs of abating in terms of coverage or severity in the foreseeable future.
According to the US Drought Monitor, over two-fifths of the West is experiencing severe or exceptional drought.
When explaining drought impacts, the EPA noted, "Reservoir levels are extremely low; hydropower production is limited, alternative electricity is expensive; groundwater declines; water allotments to farmers and ranchers are reduced."
Nevada and California are now suffering the hardest, and no rain is expected for them over the holiday weekend or into next week.
However, due to moisture from the southwest monsoon, isolated to scattered thunderstorms are probable throughout New Mexico and Colorado from Saturday to Monday.
Many individuals in the Northeast have had several days of sunlight, low humidity, and mild afternoons.
Temperatures and humidity levels were rising on Friday, ahead of a front from the Upper Midwest that is expected to bring showers and potentially severe thunderstorms.
Temperatures hit or exceeded 90 degrees Fahrenheit Friday afternoon from Boston to New York City and Washington, D.C.
The greater humidity and bright early July sunshine drove AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures toward 100 degrees in the afternoon.
Despite an increase in cloud cover, RealFeel temperatures in Pittsburgh reached the 90s.
From sections of Ohio through southeastern Michigan, southern Ontario, and portions of Pennsylvania and New York, the chance of heavy, gusty, and locally severe thunderstorms with destructive gusts, hail, and flooding downpours will persist into Friday night.
Motorists and people who get an early start on outdoor activities should be prepared to avoid storms in these locations throughout the afternoon and nighttime hours.
Friday afternoon, the hail of at least one inch in diameter was observed in Wyomissing and Shellington, Pennsylvania, northwest of Philadelphia.
Instead of dry air rushing along the coast Saturday afternoon, storms are expected to develop and turn severe.
This is because the front has shifted to the northwest, allowing the humid air and heat of the day to create additional storms.
Saturday is expected to bring a morning rain with maybe some thunder and lightning, followed by another round of thunderstorms in the late afternoon and overnight hours, according to Dombek.
With a few exceptions, the day should not be a total washout along the Atlantic Coast, and the middle portion of the day should be suitable for outdoor activities.
