Severe thunderstorms again today, Arthur a ‘Cane

Severe thunderstorms rocked the NY/NJ area on Wednesday evening, owing to rich tropical moisture and strong atmospheric instability. Behind storms of that nature, typically, the airmass becomes less humid, cooler and drier. Thursday will be atypical in that sense, as tropical moisture will actually increase once again. Rising dew points and humidity values will continue — and temperatures in the 80’s and 90’s are expected again by early afternoon. And, again, an approaching mid level disturbance is expected to aid in the development of strong to severe thunderstorms by afternoon.

Storms will progress from southwest to northeast, initially forming in Pennsylvania and making their way through New Jersey. As was the case on Wednesday dangerous lightning, flash flooding, strong winds and small hail are all possible in strong to severe thunderstorms that do develop. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for much of the region, and the Storm Prediction Center has placed the area in a Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms through this evening.

Todays Day 1 Outlook from the Storm Prediction Center showing a Slight Risk near our area.

Todays Day 1 Outlook from the Storm Prediction Center showing a Slight Risk near our area.

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Heat and severe storms Wednesday, Arthur late week

UPDATE 2:00pm: A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 9:00pm this evening. The Storm Prediction Center suggests severe thunderstorms are possible, capable of producing strong winds, small hail, and dangerous lightning. Stay tuned for updates including any severe thunderstorm or flood related warnings. The latest information on the severe thunderstorm watch can be found here.

Heat Advisories were issued by the National Weather Service for much of New Jersey on Wednesday, as heat is expected to build throughout the area once again. Rising dew points are only adding to the issue — as they will create a much muggier, more oppressive airmass than the past few days this week. Heat index values are expected to rise well into the 90’s and possibly come close to 100 in some spots later this afternoon. Any time dew points rise into the mid 70’s while temperatures are in the mid 90’s — the air will be quite heavy.

In addition to the oppressive heat, strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center has placed the area in a “Slight Risk” for severe thunderstorms, indicating a risk of small hail and strong winds. In addition to those threats, heavy rain and frequent lightning would be likely in any thunderstorms that develop. We encourage you to stay tuned throughout the day for updates on the developing thunderstorms and hazardous weather threat. In addition, stay hydrated and avoid prolonged outdoor exposure.

Day 1 Outlook from the SPC showing a Slight Risk throughout the area on Wednesday.

Day 1 Outlook from the SPC showing a Slight Risk throughout the area on Wednesday.

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TD1 expected to skirt East Coast on Independence Day

A developing tropical system is expected to shift northwestward toward the Southeast US coast over the next 24 hours, strengthening from a Tropical Depression into a Tropical Storm at some point during this week. This, almost all forecast models agree upon. What happens thereafter is another story. From Thursday morning forward, there is a considerable amount of spread amongst usually reliable guidance, as the tropical system will shift northeastward along the Mid-Atlantic states of the East Coast. Eventually, an incoming trough and shortwave will kick the tropical system to the north and east, but the timing of this depends highly on the positioning of said feature during the latter half of this week.

This means that our fourth of July forecast is up in the air — and at risk of being spoiled by tropical rains. Adding to the issue is the potential for rain along the front, even if the Tropical Storm is hundreds of miles to our east. We can thank extra lift from the incoming troughing system for this, and many models are picking up on the potential for heavy rain along this band of lift from Thursday Night into Friday. After that, the track of the exact low pressure center would obviously have more significant impacts on our weather.

Forecast track of Tropical Depression 1.

Forecast track of Tropical Depression 1.

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Seasons first heatwave, tropical threat this week

If you weren’t already convinced that summer had arrived, you will be by the end of this upcoming week. A building ridge is expected to set the stage for the seasons first potential heatwave (with temperatures of 90+ for three days or more) during the early to middle part of the week. Additionally, a tropical system may skirt the east coast by the latter half of the week into the holiday weekend. Don’t panic about your holiday plans just yet — models are still all over the place with the exact track of the system — but many of them are bringing it precariously close to the coast at this juncture.

Our hazardous weather begins, though, with the aforementioned heat wave during the early to mid part of the week. By Tuesday, a building ridge and rising mid level temperatures will help bring surface temperatures well into the 80’s — and likely 90’s — in much of the area. Southerly winds could keep things a bit cooler near the shore, but will pump in the hot air elsewhere. Rising dew points and humidity won’t help. Without a shadow of a doubt, it will feel like mid summer during this week.

NAM model forecasting high temperatures in the 90's on Wednesday.

NAM model forecasting high temperatures in the 90’s on Wednesday.

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