Weather

Persistent, drenching showers and thunderstorms will shift east across New England on Thursday, retreating to the Middle Atlantic Coast. In these areas and across the Southeast, enough rain may fall to cause urban and small-stream flooding and substantial travel disruptions. Dry air is expected to extend from the lower Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys to the central Appalachians.

A second batch of showers and storms is projected to extend from the Great Lakes to the middle Mississippi Valley and the southern Plains. The storms will occur along the edge of a cooler and less humid air mass. A few of the storms may be heavy and even severe in spots, with strong gusts and hail.

Slow-moving thunderstorms will develop over the Rockies. These storms will increase the risk of flash flooding, while lightning strikes will pose a danger for hikers.

West of the Rockies, most areas can expect another sunny and very hot day. The dryness and heat will continue to elevate the wildfire risk. Gusty winds may increase the potential for some fires to spread quickly.

FOCUS: Late-Week Severe Storms In the East

A cold front is expected to produce severe thunderstorms from around Lake Erie to the Ohio River in the afternoon and evening. The storms will shift to the Northeast on Friday afternoon and evening. Any significant rainfall could aggravate flooding problems.