- Over 60 million people are at risk of violent thunderstorms in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Monday.
- The Storm Prediction Center warned that wind damage with peak gusts of 55-70 mph will be a common threat Monday afternoon.
- Another weather story this week will be a heat wave that’s forecast to scorch much of the southern tier of the nation for the next several days.
A wild day of weather is on tap for millions in the northeastern U.S. Monday as a round of severe storms is forecast to bring strong winds, large hail and possible tornadoes from Virginia to New York State.
In all, over 60 million people are at risk of violent thunderstorms in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, the Storm Prediction Center warned.
The timing of the most potent storms will be from Monday afternoon through Monday evening, according to AccuWeather.
“The area of greatest risk will be from Washington, D.C., all the way up into central Pennsylvania and to the north of New York City,” AccuWeather meteorologist Rob Richards said.
The Storm Prediction Center warned that wind damage with peak gusts of 55-70 mph will be a common threat Monday afternoon. Weather.com said trees and power lines could be downed by stronger wind gusts, and power outages are likely in some areas. “The afternoon and early evening commute will likely be impacted by these storms,” Weather.com said.
The National Weather Service also said heavy rainfall may develop over parts of the interior Northeast, especially over northeastern New York and much of Vermont. This could potentially lead to flash flooding.
WHAT IS A TORNADO?:Everything you need to know about these violent storms
A slightly cooler, more refreshing air mass will build in behind the storm starting Tuesday across the region before significant heat builds in to round out the workweek, the Capital Weather Gang said.
Elsewhere Monday, damaging winds and isolated large hail will also be possible Monday afternoon and early evening from eastern New Mexico into the Texas Panhandle, the Storm Prediction Center said.
Heat wave scorches South
Another weather story this week will be a heat wave that’s forecast to scorch much of the southern tier of the nation for the next several days. “Widespread temperature records are forecast to be tied or broken in the southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley through midweek before parts of the Southeast get in on the record-breaking action late this week,” the Weather Service said.
“High temperatures will be in the 90s and 100s for consecutive days across much of Texas, which will pose a threat to those who are sensitive to heat,” according to the Weather Service.