Snow falls over the weekend in the Northeast and the mid-Atlantic brings severe thunderstorms and flood threats.
Stormy Saturday in store across the Northeast
As the cold front slowly slides eastward across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, the region will see multiple rounds of rain and storms each day through the weekend.
Record heat and sunshine were suddenly replaced by a weekend of storms, bringing a third day of severe weather threats in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast and an increased threat of flooding near the Appalachians.
A slow-moving front moving to the east has tapped into abundant moisture, thanks to the residual effects of a hot, humid air mass that has set records in the region for several days this week.
Severe thunderstorms with wind gusts over 50-70 mph hit the Northeast on Friday, leaving tens of thousands without power in Massachusetts and New York and generating more than 200 NWS storm reports — the vast majority reporting downed trees and/or power lines. In fierce gusts. Andover, Massachusetts was hit by severe thunderstorms, and city officials reported that many major and secondary roads remained closed due to downed trees and power lines. Large parts of the city remained without electricity until midday on Saturday.
While rain and thunderstorms return to the forecast this weekend, the serious threat is not quite as widespread for Saturday.
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather for eastern Pennsylvania — although this time Philadelphia is just outside the region — but the risk covers northwestern New Jersey and part of southern New York.
Damaging wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph pose the greatest threat from severe thunderstorms, in addition to heavy rainfall and frequent lightning.
Flood watches are in effect for parts of the mid-Atlantic
To the south, it is not the wind or hail, but heavy rain from storms that is of concern.
Thunderstorms along and east of the Appalachian Mountains could see rainfall rates of 2-4 inches per hour, and frequent storm clusters could lead to flash flooding.
A flood watch is in effect until late Saturday from southwest Virginia, through western Virginia and into western North Carolina, including Roanoke, Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Sunday remains humid
Sunday doesn’t look drier, if anything, in the Mid-Atlantic or Northeast with showers and thunderstorms expected to continue.
The risk of severe weather diminishes on Sunday but a quarter to half of the rain is likely to keep skies gray and puddles growing.
Rain is expected to continue on Monday and sometimes into the middle of next week before drier weather gives residents a chance to clear out later next week.
