Wet Start to Week in the Forecast for the Northeastern U.S.

It was a soggy start to the weekend in the Northeast, however, the conditions are rebounding on Sunday. Enjoy the dry weather while you can as another round of moisture is on the horizon for this corner of the country. Here is a look at the up and down forecast.

More Changes on the Way for the Northeast

Heavy rain and the chance of thunderstorms will kick off the new work week in the Northeast. As has been the trend lately, the weather pattern will not have staying power. A drier and warmer pattern will take over by the middle of the week as high pressure builds. This time, forecasters believe that the warmth will hang around. Unfortunately, the smoke from the Canadian wildfires could also impact the region in the days ahead.

The rain will first fire up on Sunday across the upper portions of the Ohio Valley, the central Appalachians, and into the interior mid-Atlantic. Get out early for outdoor activities in Norfolk, Virginia. This part of the region will see dry weather early in the day with scattered thunderstorms developing during the afternoon hours. You can expect highs in the low 80s and readings that fall into the upper 60s overnight.

Washington, D.C. will also see the greatest chance of thunderstorm activity during the afternoon and evening hours with clearing expected overnight. The nation's capital is predicted to hit a high of about 73 degrees with lows that hover in the mid 60s.

Storms will be more pervasive moving farther inland. Roanoke, Virginia, will see a higher risk of widespread storms throughout the day. The forecast is also calling for a high of about 82 degrees, winds out of the southwest at 10 to 15 mph, and lows that bounce around in the mid 60s.

Heading to the south, a secondary area of unsettled weather will impact the Southeast. Atlanta is forecast to be under the gun for isolated thunderstorms to start the day. Forecasters are warning that some of the storms could pack gusty winds. The rain and storms will move out in the afternoon, leaving behind partly cloudy skies and a high of about 82 degrees. Winds will be whipping around from the west at 10 to 15 mph. Overnight lows will slide to about 67 degrees in the Peach City.

It will be the opposite situation heading farther to the east and to the coastal areas of the Southeast. For instance, Charleston, South Carolina, will wake up to calm conditions with scattered thunderstorms coming to life in the afternoon. Some of the storm cells could usher in severe impacts. It will be a steamy day with highs of about 88 degrees and lows that land at about 73 degrees. Winds will be out of the west-southwest at 10 to 15 mph. 

The northern mid-Atlantic and western edge of New England will see the rain and storms arrive late Sunday and into Monday. Although widespread thunderstorms are not in the forecast, some of the storm cells could pack gusty winds and the threat of an isolated tornado. The most likely impact zone will stretch from West Virginia and to the north into western New York.

The eastern fringe of New England will likely see the storms develop later Monday and into Tuesday. However, the rain could be heavy at times once it does finally arrive. Repeated downpours are in the cards for an area from the Lower Hudson Valley and the Interstate 95 corridor up through Maine. This is a part of the region that picked up substantial rain in May.

The chance of heavy rain will creep to the south and into the Carolinas. Travel in the air and on the roads could be disrupted by the inclement conditions.

Warmer and Drier Weather on Tap by Middle of the Week

The warmer and drier weather will return to the Ohio Valley, the Great Lakes region, and the western mid-Atlantic starting Tuesday. You can expect the mercury to begin to inch upward at this time as well. This will translate to readings in the 80s on Wednesday and Thursday. Real feel readings could land higher thanks to intense sunshine and light winds. Some areas of the mid-Atlantic are likely to see real feel temperatures crack the 90-degree barrier.

The drier conditions and the westerly winds will pair to bring back the smoke coming as a result of the Canadian wildfires. This smoke and haze are most likely to impact the Great Lakes and the Northeast, however, some of it could filter as far as the Southeast.

Officials in Canada said that almost 619,000 acres of forest have been burned as of June 4. The majority of the fires are burning in the central part of the nation. The smoke could be thick enough to negatively impact air quality levels.

While a slight cooldown is in the forecast for the weekend for the Northeast, another area of high pressure is predicted to build at the start of the following week. The end result will be summerlike temperatures right on cue for the summer solstice.

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