Northeastern US: Storms to ramp up by midweek before welcome dry sweep
The northeastern United States will be treated to an even stronger push of refreshing air later this week but not before drenching thunderstorms ramp back up across the region by midweek.
While stubborn clouds and drizzle may hang on in some communities, a wedge of dry air will limit showers and thunderstorms to a small fraction of the Northeast on Monday.
The coastline from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to New Jersey and the Delmarva Peninsula are among the few places where a shower can put a damper on the day. Even if no rain falls, lingering clouds, a stiff breeze and choppy seas will make the day less than ideal for beachgoers.
Places ravaged by flooding and residents tired of having outdoor plans spoiled can anticipate more dry than wet days this week, but a storm approaching from the Midwest is expected to put the brakes on the drying trend for Tuesday into Wednesday.
Humidity levels can once again surge as showers and thunderstorms sweep from west to east across the region.
As has been the case recently, there will be downpours that can trigger areas of flash flooding where the heavy rain repeats and/or falls onto a ground that is overly saturated. Downpours may be most numerous around the Appalachians.
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AccuWeather meteorologists are also concerned for thunderstorms to become strong with damaging winds around the central Appalachians on Tuesday afternoon and evening.
The Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, is among the sporting events that can be disrupted by the storminess.
Download the free AccuWeather app to stay aware of flooding, severe weather and lightning dangers. Remember that as soon as thunder is heard, the risk of being struck by lightning is present. A man killed on Long Island on Saturday evening was New York's first lightning death since 2016.
Behind this period of wet weather, residents can look forward to even nicer conditions than what the dry days earlier in the week will offer.
"A welcome change will take place at the end of the week as a large high pressure takes control of the pattern," AccuWeather Long-Range Meteorologist Max Vido said.
Thursday and Friday may feature a sky no worse than partly sunny, low humidity and dry weather spanning the Great Lakes, New England and mid-Atlantic.
It will be comfortable for construction crews, farmers, sports teams and anyone else heading to a county fair or enjoying outdoor activities. However, fields may still be too wet for tractors or heavy equipment to drive through.
Neighborhoods across most of the Northeast may be abuzz with the sound of lawnmowers or the smell of grills.
Those who get chilled easily may need a light jacket or long-sleeved shirt at night.
"With the drier air in place, nighttime low temperatures across the Northeast are forecast to drop to values not experienced since July," Vido said. "Wednesday and Thursday night, lows can be in the lower to mid-50s across the interior and in the lower to middle 60s along the I-95 corridor."
Temperatures may even dip into the 40s in the coolest locations.
Vido encourages everyone in the Northeast to take full advantage of the late week weather.
"Thursday and Friday may be the best opportunity to turn off the air conditioning and open up windows this month," he said. "By next weekend, an uptick in temperatures and humidity will revert the region back to the August status quo."
If the high does not hold firm, showers and thunderstorms may encroach back on the region next weekend, and Vido anticipates more stormy days than dry to close out the month.
"The AccuWeather Long-Range team expects warm and humid weather to continue in the Northeast into the last week of August with multiple chances for more rain," he said.
