Weekend forecast threatens East Coast as heavy rain, thunderstorms raise flash flood risk

Millions of Americans should expect a weekend of wet weather that could impact major cities up and down the East Coast. 

A cold front responsible for severe weather across the Midwest will push east on Saturday, bringing a growing chance of showers and thunderstorms from the Carolinas through the Mid-Atlantic and into the Northeast.

Warm, humid air will help fuel the storms during the afternoon, and some could produce heavy rain in a short amount of time across portions of the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic.

Because of the potential for heavy downpours, a Level 1 out of 4 flash flood risk stretches from parts of the Southeast into southern New England.

Atlanta, Raleigh, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and several other major cities are included in the threat.

Sunday

The wet weather shows no signs of slowing down, as storms will continue into Sunday along the I-95 corridor as the cold front continues further east.

Rain could stick around into Sunday as the cold front slowly moves toward the coast. Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston could see a cloudy and soggy start to the day, with periods of heavier rain possible. 

Rainfall totals of around 0.5 to 1 inch are expected across the East Coast, with 1–2 inches in some areas where slow-moving storms can stall.

“Given recent rainfall, isolated flash flooding is possible through Sunday,” said the FOX Forecast Center.

Areas such as Charleston, South Carolina, are already beginning to experience rainfall, and a Coastal Flood Advisory is also in effect, with more precipitation and thunderstorms expected overnight into Friday, when there is a 50% chance of wet weather.

The good news is that the wet weather should not last long.

High pressure is expected to build into the region early next week, allowing much of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast to dry out.