The eastern two-thirds of the nation has been experiencing a multi-day severe weather outbreak that has produced over 1,000 reports over the last two days alone. The final day of this event will target the Eastern Seaboard today.
The result of this multi-day severe weather outbreak is a large upper-level weather system and associated cold that has been moving across the U.S. This weather system and cold front will barrel through the East today. It will bring plenty of atmospheric energy and strong winds throughout the atmosphere. Southerly winds associated with the weather system will also funnel plenty of moisture from both the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect for southeastern North Carolina, eastern South Carolina, central and southern Georgia, the northern half of Florida, and now parts of Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. This includes Wilmington, N.C., Columbia and Charleston, S.C., Augusta, Savannah and Valdosta, Ga., Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Gainesville, Fla., central PA to Harrisonburg, Va., and Zanesville, Ohio.
Thunderstorms have already developed along the cold front in the Southeast where warm, humid air meets noticeably colder and drier air. As temperatures warm throughout the day, thunderstorms will develop farther north in the Mid-Atlantic and eastern portions of the Ohio Valley. Any thunderstorms in the Southeast will also push south and east, making their way into the northern half of the Florida Peninsula.
The government’s Storm Prediction Center has issued an Enhanced Risk for severe weather across western Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh. A larger Slight Risk for severe weather covers the rest of the eastern Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Cities included in this Slight Risk include Cleveland, Richmond and Roanoke, Va., Raleigh, Charlotte and Wilmington, N.C., Columbia and Charleston, S.C., Savannah, Ga., and Jacksonville and Tampa, Fla.
Within thunderstorms, all severe modes will be possible today, such as damaging wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, large hail, and a few brief tornadoes.
With severe weather in the forecast over the next several days, make sure to know the difference between a watch and a warning should they become issued. A watch means that conditions are favorable for severe weather to occur and to be on alert for any rapidly changing conditions. A warning means that severe weather is imminent, and you should act fast to remain safe.
The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water, and non-perishable food items should you be without power for long periods of time. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on today’s severe weather. Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!
