July 4th fireworks: Where will the weather be best for the spectacular shows?

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

July 01, 2018, 4:12:55 PM EDT

A large part of the United States will escape nature’s fireworks ruining shows on Wednesday evening, but steamy air is expected to remain in firm control from the Plains to the East.

Most of the widely separated thunderstorms that dot the Great Lakes and Northeast during the day on July Fourth may dissipate before the evening displays. Warmth and humidity will remain, creating sticky conditions.

One fly in the ointment may be where calm winds prevent smoke from quickly clearing out, which can make fireworks later in the shows more difficult to view.

The higher the humidity, the duller the colors the fireworks can be.

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Across the South, thunderstorms can be less numerous during the evening than the afternoon. However, some communities may have to contend with lingering showers and thunderstorms disrupting their shows.

Worse than ruining fireworks and other holiday festivities, thunderstorms that sweep across the northern Plains on Wednesday evening can turn severe.

Dry weather and good viewing conditions are expected across most of the West. However, residents should abide by fireworks bans and use extreme caution with sparklers to prevent a destructive wildfire from igniting and ruining the holiday.

Below are more detailed weather conditions for major fireworks displays across the country.

New York City

“If people head out early to get a good spot for the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks on Wednesday afternoon, they should be prepared for hot and humid conditions with highs around 90,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Steve Travis said.

A stray shower or thunderstorm may be around, so be prepared to seek shelter.

“Any thunderstorm will die out by the time the fireworks begin,” Travis said. “It will be a warm and humid evening with temperatures still well in the 80s at the start of the fireworks.”

Boston

Similar to New York City, any isolated thunderstorm around the Boston area on Wednesday afternoon is expected to dissipate prior to the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.

Sticky air will hold firm with temperatures not far from 80 when the show commences.

Fireworks shoot from the Hatch Shell as confetti falls during the annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Esplanade, Tuesday, July 4, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Washington, D.C.

As the National Mall Fourth of July Celebration fireworks show begins right around nightfall, temperatures can still be in the middle to lower 80s with high humidity creating a muggy feel to the evening.

No thunderstorms are expected to delay or postpone the show.

Chicago

Similar to the cities in the Northeast, most thunderstorm activity around Chicagoland is expected to leave before fireworks light up the sky over Navy Pier on Wednesday evening. The fireworks will be in sync with a score of patriotic music.

Temperatures will be not far from the day’s average high of 84 during the show. The millions of viewers will want to keep water bottles handy to battle the stifling humidity.

Houston

“A storm with deep tropical moisture can wash out July Fourth festivities during the day in Houston with heavy rain and some thunder,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Maggie Samuhel said.

“If the storm leaves in time, places from the city eastward can be drier by sunset,” she said.

There can still be a shower or two around in this scenario. If winds are light enough, smoke may linger in the vicinity of the fireworks around the city and spoil the show.

“The fireworks can be a washout if the rain is only slightly slower to leave,” Samuhel added.

Minneapolis

Heat and humidity are expected to fuel potentially severe thunderstorms during the afternoon and overnight hours of the Fourth of July in Minneapolis, which can put cookouts, festivities and fireworks in jeopardy.

Anyone spending the holiday outdoors will want to enable audible alerts on cell phones to receive severe weather bulletins as they are issued. As soon as thunder is heard, be sure to seek shelter.

Residents and visitors may have to settle on nature’s fireworks if officials deem the weather too hazardous to let Wednesday’s evening show proceed as planned.

Seattle

Clouds may be streaming over Seattle on Wednesday evening but are not expected to produce rain and impact the SCCA Safari Summer 4th’s fireworks show.

The evening will be pleasant with temperatures in the lower 70s.

San Diego

Heat is expected to build across Southern California later in the week, but that will occur after San Diego’s Big Bay Boom show on Wednesday evening.

Temperatures will comfortably dip into the upper 60s for the fireworks display.

Only if low clouds and fog spread back onto the coast earlier than expected would smoke shroud the fireworks.

If you are celebrating Independence Day with your own fireworks show, be sure to follow all safety tips to avoid closing out the holiday in the hospital.