Stormy Weekend on the Horizon for the Eastern Half of the Nation

The rocky weather pattern that has impacted much of the central U.S. this week is going to march into the eastern and southern parts of the country this weekend. Here is a closer look at when and where to expect the threat of severe weather to derail outdoor plans.

Stormy Conditions Expand to the East This Weekend

The storm outbreak that hammered the central U.S. on Tuesday through Thursday generated almost 1,200 reports of severe weather incidents. The majority of the impacts came in the form of high winds; however, almost 40 tornadoes were also reported. The high winds whipped up in the nation's heartland before expanding into the Appalachians to the mid-Atlantic. As of Friday morning, there were still more than 500,000 customers without power.

Friday's storm activity set up over two primary areas, with storms impactingthe southern Plains in a zone from eastern and central New Mexico into West Texas, the southeastern corner of Colorado, the Oklahoma Panhandle, and southwestern Kansas. Once again, damaging hail and strong winds will be the primary threats. There is also the possibility of a few tornadoes spinning up in northeastern New Mexico through southeastern Colorado.

The second zone of storms is forecast to ignite farther east from middle Tennessee and northern Mississippi to the north all the way up into Quebec, Canada. The greatest concentration of storms will churn across a swath of real estate from central Virginia and West Virginia up into western Massachusetts and southeastern New York. This includes major urban areas such as Richmond, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City.

Saturday Storms to Zero in on the Central and Southeastern U.S.

The middle portion of the Mississippi Valley will be back under the gun for severe weather on Saturday. At least a dozen states from Texas to Wisconsin should prepare for disruptions to outdoor plans at times. The highest risk of severe weather will set up in an area from northeastern Oklahoma and into west-central Illinois. In addition to the usual impacts of hail and powerful winds, this area is also forecast to see flooding rainfall and the chance of tornadic activity.

Kansas City will be at the heart of Saturday's activity. The metro area across the Kansas and Missouri state line will see the threat of severe thunderstorms packing high winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes developing in the afternoon. The most potent rain bands will fire up under the cover of darkness, dumping about an inch of rain on the city after the sun goes down. Highs will top out at 83 degrees before sliding into the low 60s overnight.

Another pocket of severe weather is in the forecast for parts of eastern Georgia and up into the Carolinas. These storms could extend all the way to the coastline, impacting some of the most popular beach towns in the region. Beachgoers will want to keep an eye on the hourly forecast as the storms approach on Saturday afternoon. Flash flooding will be a concern in the Southeast in areas that see repeated rounds of heavy rain.

Charleston, South Carolina, will get caught in the bullseye of the stormy Saturday for the Southeast. The historic city is bracing for thunderstorms with gusty winds popping off in the afternoon hours. It will be a steamy day with highs in the low 90s and oppressive humidity levels. Overnight temperatures will bottom out in the upper 70s in Charleston.

Sunday's severe weather concerns will stretch from Georgia and the Carolinas to the north through New York state and the western flank of New England. This impact zone includes most of the populated Interstate 95 corridor, encompassing Charlotte, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, New York City, and Philadelphia. The good news is that the storms are not expected to linger, meaning the day will not be a total washout.

The rain and storms will hold off until the later part of the day in New York City. Get out early for outdoor activities in the Big Apple, as the rain will move in during the late afternoon hours. Thunderstorms will rumble during the evening hours in this part of the region. Temperatures will continue to remain unseasonably warm in New York City, with a high of 87 degrees on tap for Sunday. The arrival of a cold front will bring wind speeds up to 10 to 15 mph from the south-southwest.

Moving farther west, severe thunderstorms are expected to put a wrench in Sunday plans for millions of people in northern Texas, Louisiana, central and southern Oklahoma, Arkansas, and the northwestern edge of Mississippi.

As noted earlier, a surge of tropical moisture will result in several rounds of heavy rain later in the weekend into the middle part of next week for the Gulf Coast and Texas. The plume of moisture originating in the Gulf will raise the risk of flash flooding; however, it will also provide meaningful relief from the ongoing drought.

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