Severe storms to rumble across flood-weary northeastern US on Friday

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist

July 27, 2018, 9:36:36 PM EDT

Areas of the northeastern United States that are cleaning up from recent flooding will need to be on alert for potentially damaging thunderstorms to end the week.

While the storm system responsible for threatening the region with severe weather will move along at a faster pace compared to the stormy pattern from earlier this week, it may add insult to injury in areas still dealing with high water, road closures and uprooted trees from the deluge earlier in the week.

Into Friday evening, strong, drenching and locally severe storms will extend from parts of Virginia and West Virginia to Maine.

New York City and Baltimore were both hit by severe thunderstorms late Friday afternoon, leading to localized flooding around the cities. Hail larger than quarters were also reported in downtown Baltimore. 

Damaging winds, hail and torrential downpours are expected to be the primary threats along this corridor.

Since the ground is saturated and limbs are loaded with moisture, even a moderate gust of wind can bring some shallow-rooted and diseased trees down, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.

Trees can land on homes and power lines, which can start fires and cause the power to go out in some communities.

“Rainfall, although brief, could aggravate flooding in some communities,” Sosnowski said.

RELATED: 
Photos: Hersheypark closes again after 'historic flooding' turned the roller coaster park into water park 
How sharks benefit the ocean's health, ecosystems 
Return of downpours threatens to renew, expand flood risk in eastern US by early August

Drivers will need to be prepared to turn around and find an alternate route if high water is encountered. It’s impossible to tell how high the water is, how fast it is moving and if the roadway underneath has been compromised.

The Friday evening rush hour could be slower than normal for people commuting home or heading to a weekend vacation destination.

“Motorists and pedestrians are urged to not linger under trees as the storms approach, not only from the threat of wind, but also the risk of a lightning strike,” Sosnowski said.

If you are outside and hear thunder, head indoors immediately and away from windows. If there are no accessible buildings nearby, a hard-top vehicle can provide suitable shelter against lightning strikes, but be sure it is not parked underneath a tree.

Drier air is expected to overtake the majority of the region for the weekend, including Pocono Raceway for the NASCAR events on Saturday and Sunday.

Spotty storms may affect parts of Virginia, southern Maryland and coastal New England on Saturday.

A return of moisture from the south could lead to more widespread rainy days and a renewed risk of flooding next week.

Download the free AccuWeather app to stay alert for severe weather and to receive information on upcoming rainfall and flooding dangers.

How much rain do you think is in the forecast? Make your prediction now with Forecaster Challenge. Click the image above to play.