Severe weather to rattle eastern Great Lakes, Ohio Valley at midweek

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist

August 29, 2018, 5:06:18 AM EDT

In the wake of Tuesday's violent storms in the Midwest, the threat for severe weather will shift into the eastern Great Lakes and Ohio Valley into Wednesday evening.

While areas from Iowa to Michigan that were hit hard with flooding, power outages and even tornadoes will get a chance to dry out and begin cleanup efforts at midweek, residents farther east will need to be prepared for potentially dangerous weather conditions.

On Wednesday afternoon and evening, the threat for heavy, gusty and locally severe thunderstorms will extend from parts of the Ohio Valley to the interior Northeast, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun.

“This includes the cities of Louisville; Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio; Erie, Pennsylvania; Buffalo and Syracuse, New York; and Toronto.”

Locally damaging storms could extend as far northeast as western New England and as far south as near Pittsburgh by Wednesday evening.

The storms will be fueled by a sweep of more comfortable air clashing with the sweltering heat and humidity in place.

While Rathbun anticipates that severe weather will be more localized at midweek than prior days this week, this should not cause residents or travelers in the area to let their guard down.

People in the area at risk can face storms capable of producing damaging winds, hail and flooding downpours.

“Travel will be slowed at times on interstates 65, 70, 71, 80 and 90,” Rathbun said.

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Tree damage and power outages will be possible.

Securing loose outdoor items can prevent them from becoming projectiles during a gusty storm.

While the heat and humidity ahead of the storms may have people who have yet to go back to school flocking to lakes or swimming pools, anyone outdoors should seek shelter indoors at the first rumble of thunder.

Download the free AccuWeather app on your cellphone or tablet to know exactly when storms will arrive and stay aware of the latest severe weather watches and warnings.

As drier, more comfortable air sweeps across the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley on Thursday, storms will shift into the Northeast’s Interstate-95 corridor.

Thursday’s storms will pose more of a nuisance than a severe weather risk for locations from Washington, D.C., to Boston.