East Coast Braces for Continued Flash Flood Threat Amid ‘Ring of Fire’ Weather Pattern
East Coast Braces for Continued Flash Flood Threat Amid ‘Ring of Fire’ Weather Pattern
A significant flash flood emergency was issued for parts of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, including suburban Maryland, on Saturday evening, July 19th, as a “ring of fire” weather pattern continues to impact the eastern two-thirds of the United States. The National Weather Service described the situation as “particularly dangerous,” with flash flooding already occurring after 3 to 5 inches of rain had fallen, and an additional 1 to 2 inches possible.
Millions of Americans remain under flood alerts as heavy downpours and thunderstorms raise concerns for widespread flash flooding across the region. Saturated grounds and high atmospheric moisture levels are exacerbating the risk. Flood watches are in effect for portions of Iowa, western Illinois, northeastern Missouri through Sunday, July 20th, and for parts of Virginia and northeastern North Carolina through Saturday night, July 19th, with these areas potentially seeing 2 to 4 inches of rain. Flash Flood Warnings are also active in southern Illinois, southern Indiana, and northern Kentucky.
While localized, the potential for heavy rainfall spans a large portion of the eastern U.S., which is under a slight risk for excessive rainfall through Saturday night. Portions of western and central Kentucky, southern Indiana, and southeastern Illinois have been elevated to a moderate risk for excessive rainfall through Saturday evening, with expected totals of 3 to 5 inches and rainfall rates potentially reaching 2 to 3 inches per hour.
The “ring of fire” pattern, characterized by thunderstorms developing around the periphery of a high-pressure heat dome, is also bringing severe storm risks. Severe thunderstorm watches were in effect for southern Maryland, northeastern North Carolina, and Virginia until 10 p.m. ET Saturday, with threats including damaging winds up to 65 mph and isolated large hail. Further west, tornado watches were issued for parts of Nebraska and severe thunderstorm watches for eastern Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and northeastern Wyoming, with potential for 70 mph gusts and very large hail. Over 13 million people across 13 states are under a slight risk for severe weather through the night, with damaging winds and flash flooding being primary concerns. Powerful storms in the Plains and Midwest could also generate large hail and isolated tornadoes. On Sunday, July 20th, parts of the Northeast, including New York City, Boston, and Albany, are also under a slight risk for strong to severe storms, primarily for damaging winds and hail.
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