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Strong, severe storms possible this afternoon west of NYC

Hazy, hot and humid air has settled into the region this afternoon as southerly winds pump in the warmth thanks to mid level ridging. Back to our west-northwest, an energetic disturbance is ejecting northeastward through the Ohio Valley. Increased lift and forcing is helping to force the development of thunderstorms within an unstable environment, leading to the threat of widespread severe weather over Pennsylvania and New York State. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Moderate Risk for severe weather in those areas through this evening.

Why is this threat developing? 

There are many pieces at play, but the main culprits are most definitely the Western Atlantic Ridge (actually centered near Bermuda at this point) and the incoming energetic trough. The combination of the two is leading to increased instability, strong forcing for thunderstorms, and sufficient wind shear for storm organization. Figure 1 (below) shows a four panel model image from this afternoons 12z NAM model. On the top left, the model is producing precipitation along elongated height falls from the system to our northwest. On the top right, very warm air at 850mb has advanced into the region with temperatures over 18 C. Finally, the bottom two panels show the energetic pattern at 500 and 300 mb.

Figure 1. (NYMetroWeather models)

Figure 1. (NYMetroWeather models)

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Live Blog: Severe storms, heavy rain likely

[alert type=”error”]Moderate Risk of severe thunderstorms for Southern New Jersey. Click for details.[/alert]

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An unusually strong storm system for June will move eastward from the Ohio Valley through the Mid Atlantic states on Thursday, providing the area with several hazardous weather threats. Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain and wind are all likely throughout the area at some point on Thursday as the system moves through. Throughout the day we will be updating this live blog post with the last information, discussion and links. We encourage you to keep reading along with us as we track the system.

5:00pm Update: The initial storm system helped to keep the warm front a tad further south than originally anticipated. Central NJ was originally on the border of the severe weather, but they are now safe from any severe weather threat, as are all areas north of Central NJ. An area of moderately strong (but NOT severe) thunderstorms are approaching northern and central NJ, so Sussex Counties through Flemington may have to watch out soon, and these storms should generally traverse I-80. Moderate to heavy rain, some lightning, and wind gusts up to 40mph can be expected.

However, strong and severe thunderstorms have developed a bit further south in the Mid-Atlantic, with numerous severe wind reports all throughout Virginia and Maryland. There was also a confirmed tornado by law enforecement near Colesville, Maryland, which is 15 miles north of Washington, DC. That tornado has lifted, but potent storms with strong winds still remain. They are heading east and could give southern NJ some wind gusts up to 50mph, and perhaps some exceeding 50mph. The strongest threat for these storms will be in Salem, southern Gloucester, Atlantic counties, and southward…perhaps clipping extreme southern Ocean county. We’ll keep you posted if anything changes and fine-tune things as well.

11:20am Update: Storms have cleared the NJ coast from the initial thunderstorm system. Rain continues over parts of New York, Long Island and Connecticut. Some clearing is expected over New Jersey during the next hour or two. A warm front is expected to push northward with time, with additional storms developing. A severe weather threat is expected over much of New Jersey this evening. Stay tuned.

9:20am Update: Severe Thunderstorm Warning for much of Southwest NJ and the city of Philadelphia. Strong winds, heavy rain and frequent lightning expected with the complex of warned storms. Click here to see the high resolution radar imagery from the time of the warning issuance.

9:00am Update: Heavy rain in association with the decaying thunderstorm complex will approach NYC, NJ, CT and LI over the next 30 minutes and continue through around 11am. A local threat for severe thunderstorms exists over Southern New Jersey through that time frame, with the potential for some hail and strong/damaging winds.

8:05am Update: Severe Thunderstorm Watch #304 remains in effect for Central and Southern NJ. A Moderate Risk for severe thunderstorms from SPC remains over Southern New Jersey through tonight. Our forecasters were tracking a weakening complex of thunderstorms moving through Southeast Pennsylvania. Periods of rain are expected to impact New Jersey, NYC, CT and LI within the hour from the system — with the severe storms impacting Southern and Central NJ. Stay tuned for any potential warnings. Additional severe thunderstorms are expected later today.