A widespread system of thunderstorms is expected to sweep across the northern corridor of the United States starting Sunday evening, bringing the threat of hail, heavy downpours, and damaging winds. Forecasters warn that these conditions could significantly disrupt travel, particularly during Monday evening commutes, while also raising concerns about flash flooding.
The Great Lakes and Ohio Valley regions are currently at the highest risk. These storms are being fueled by intense heat and humidity as they move along the edge of a heat dome currently positioned over the Plains. According to Accuweather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham, the system is expected to develop into a broad barrage of storms by Sunday evening, producing heavy rain and wind gusts reaching up to 85 miles per hour as it pushes southeast into the Great Lakes.
Buckingham noted that "day-to-day thunderstorm activity can sometimes rely on where previous rounds of thunderstorms develop, which makes pinning down the exact location of the highest risk for severe weather difficult until just a matter of hours before storms form." The National Weather Service anticipates that the severe conditions could lead to power outages and fallen tree limbs, with lightning and heavy rain expected to persist through Monday afternoon and evening.
The impact of this system is forecast to extend into the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions. Travel along the Interstate 95 corridor, stretching from New York City to Raleigh, North Carolina, will likely be affected by hail, downpours, and damaging wind gusts. Prolonged heavy rains are expected to continue along the northern edge of the system through Tuesday evening, increasing the potential for flash flooding in areas from Buffalo to Boston. By Wednesday, New England could face further severe weather, with urban areas and locations with poor drainage remaining particularly vulnerable to flash floods.
Meanwhile, the central and southern United States are bracing for hazardous heat. The National Weather Service reports that afternoon highs on Sunday and Monday are expected to reach the upper 90s and lower 100s. In parts of the Rockies, the Plains, the Mississippi Valley, and the South, heat indices could climb between 105 and 115 degrees.
