Mid-Atlantic Storms Set to Pack 70 MPH Winds, Golf Ball Hail — SevereWX

Mid-Atlantic residents, brace for severe thunderstorms this afternoon.

The Storm Prediction Center has flagged a mesoscale discussion for potential severe weather from the Mid-Atlantic northward into southern New York and southwestern New England. Scattered thunderstorms are firing up now, fueled by hot, unstable air with temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s°F and CAPE exceeding 2000 J/kg.

Storms already bubbling in southern New York are organizing amid 15-25 kt shear, supporting strong updrafts. A mid-level impulse pushing east from Ohio will aid further development through late afternoon. The strongest cells could hurl hail up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size) and wind gusts of 55-70 mph, capable of snapping tree limbs and downing power lines.

Affected areas span from Washington D.C., Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia, through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, into New York City suburbs, southern Connecticut, and southwestern Massachusetts. While coverage remains scattered, any intensification could prompt a tornado watch—forecasters peg the odds at 40%.

This setup follows today's broader severe weather across the Appalachians and Midwest, but eyes are on urban corridors where impacts could hit hardest.

Stay prepared: Monitor local NWS alerts, secure outdoor items, and have a severe weather plan ready. Use apps like SevereWX.net for real-time updates. Safety first as these storms evolve.