Eastern U.S. Forecast to See Storms and Then Smoke

More wildfire smoke could push into the eastern U.S. from Canada by early in the week, following more thunderstorms on deck for the weekend. Here is a look at this rocky forecast.

Stormy Conditions for Some Americans This Weekend

Millions of Americans on the East Coast could be dodging storms this weekend as an active weather pattern sets up over the weekend. Forecasters are warning that some of the strongest storm cells could generate locally damaging winds and flooding.

The storms will come to life as a result of lingering moisture from the end of the week pairing with the natural heating of the day. A front coming from the western U.S. will support the development of more storms on Sunday. This line of storms is likely to persist into the start of the week, bringing a steady stream of moisture and raising the threat of localized flooding at times.

Summer storms are known for their ability to produce immense amounts of moisture. This is due to the tendency of these storm cells to rise up into the atmosphere and to move at a slow pace.

The weather maker is forecast to impact a large swath from the Carolinas and up into New England. Residents in the path of the potential storms should enable all smartphone weather notifications and make a plan to get to safety if needed.

The advancing front will push to the east on Saturday, moving into an area of warm and moisture-rich air. The greatest chance of severe storms in the East will be on Sunday and Monday. However, the storms could also expand as far west as eastern Oklahoma. Potential impacts include hail, damaging winds, and flooding. Meteorologists are also warning that air travelers and motorists should prepare for disruptions along interstates 40, 80, and 81.

Pittsburgh will be one of the major urban areas in the crosshairs for storms later on Sunday. The Steel City is forecast to see storms erupt during the evening hours. Highs will hover in the mid 80s before falling to about the 70-degree mark overnight.

The line of storm cells will not reach areas to the northeast until the overnight hours. Places such as Albany, New York, are forecast to see mostly calm conditions during the day Sunday with the action firing up in the overnight hours. Sunday's forecast in the capital city is calling for a high of about 85 degrees, overnight readings that land in the low 70s, and winds out of the south at 10 to 15 mph.

Storms a Continuation of the Late-Week Pattern

The storms this weekend are a continuation of the unsettled weather pattern that closed out the week in parts of the central U.S. The eastern and central portions of Iowa have been hit particularly hard by persistent moisture over the last few days. Heavy rain began to fall late Thursday, quickly overwhelming storm drains and triggering a flash flood emergency for some areas of the Quad Cities late Friday and into early Saturday.

Residents woke up to several major roads deemed impassable on Saturday morning. The communities of Davenport and Bettendorf were hit the hardest by the stream of moisture, flooding homes and businesses in the region.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood emergency early Saturday for the southern portions of Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island County, Illinois. The warning advised those in the impacted area to move to higher ground immediately.

According to the NWS Quad Cities office, Davenport picked up over 4.3 inches of rain by Friday evening. Neighboring Bettendorf recorded 3.5 inches. Duck Creek was overwhelmed by the rain as it came fast and furious, sending water out over the banks.

The storms that unleashed across the Quad Cities were part of the weather maker that pushed through Iowa late Thursday. The system strengthened again Friday afternoon with the natural heating of the day, generating high winds, small hail, and torrential rain.

Widespread wind gusts of over 60 mph were clocked in some of the storm cells. A top gust of 85 mph was recorded in Cascade. The towns of Dubuque and Cedar Rapids experienced power outages as trees came down to the ground. While a few tornado warnings were issued on Friday, the NWS has not confirmed that any twisters touched down.

Flash flooding events were reported in Des Moines and Ames. Rainfall totals climbed to 3 inches on Friday. The community of Waterloo recorded 3.48 inches by Friday evening.

Monday's Forecast Calling for Storms to Shift to the East

The risk of storms will creep to the east on Monday, expanding up the coastline from North Carolina and into Maine. Winds could hit speeds of up to 60 mph, triggering the risk of downed trees and power lines.

It could be a hazardous day for motorists using Interstate 95. The major urban corridors of Washington, D.C, Philadelphia, and New York City are most likely to see the storms fire up in time for the evening commute.

Smoke will return to the eastern U.S. beginning this weekend, coming down from the wildfires that have been burning in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The smoke will impact a large swath of the Midwest and Great Lakes, delivering hazy conditions and the chance of poor air quality alerts.

The frontal boundary responsible for producing storms on Sunday and Monday will also send the smoke farther to the east as the week progresses. This movement will put the Northeast in the path of the smoke at this time.

The forecast models indicate that the thickest smoke will land in a zone from upstate New York through the western portion of Maine. This is the most likely area to be grappling with hazardous air quality levels in the days ahead. Vulnerable individuals should monitor these numbers and limit their time outside if the air quality proves to be dangerous.

The hazy conditions may dip as far south as Philadelphia and Baltimore at times. This will be a situation that forecasters will continue to monitor next week.

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