Severe Storms Will Rim a Heat Dome From the Midwest to the East

The back half of the work week is forecast to go out with a bang as a line of storms rides along the northern rim of the building heat dome to the south. Read on for a detailed look at the when and where of these storms.

Storms to Ride Along the Northern Edge of Heat Dome

Several rounds of severe weather are expected to ignite along the outer edges of a heat dome that is building across the central U.S. The storms will impact a large swath of the nation from the northern Plains, across the Midwest, and into the mid-Atlantic through Friday.

Forecasters are warning that some areas may see multiple storm cells move through in just one day. Likely impacts of this volatile weather maker include high winds and heavy rain capable of unleashing localized flash flooding.

The forecast is calling for two primary areas of stormy conditions on Thursday. The first zone will set up across northeastern South Dakota and western Minnesota to the east into Iowa and the southwestern corner of Wisconsin. These storms are expected to menace the region throughout the afternoon and evening hours. In addition to the usual suspects of torrential rain and strong winds, residents may also see the chance of hail.

Minneapolis will be at the heart of the action on Thursday. Despite being at the top of the heat dome away from the core, the Twin Cities will still see highs climb into the upper 80s, helping to fuel the storms. The far eastern fringe of this storm cluster could reach as far as Chicago.

The second pocket of stormy conditions is predicted to erupt farther east, starting in southern Michigan and northeastern Indiana and moving to the coasts of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Cities in this line of fire include Detroit, Cleveland, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Atlantic City, Dover, New York City, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.