Weather

Drenching, gusty and severe thunderstorms are in store from interior New England to the eastern Great Lakes, Appalachians and the middle Mississippi, Tennessee and Ohio valleys Tuesday. Flash flooding will be the most common threat to motorists and pedestrians. A few of the strongest storms may also produce damaging wind gusts. The bulk of the storms will occur from the middle part of the afternoon to the evening hours.

Slightly cooler, less humid air is forecast to sprawl from the northern Plains to the upper Great Lakes region.

In the West, most of the region can expect blazing sunshine and searing heat. A north bulge in the jet stream will keep away moisture from the Pacific Ocean. The conditions will remain conducive for new wildfires to start and for the rapid spread of existing ones. An exception to the dryness is forecast to extend along the eastern slopes of the central and southern Rockies to the southern High Plains. Thunderstorms are likely to move slowly in this zone, raising the risk of flash flooding.

FOCUS: Thunderstorms in the Northeast

Thunderstorms will become more numerous across the Northeast on Tuesday into Wednesday, with incidents of flash flooding and damaging winds. While relief comes to areas farther inland, heat and humidity will continue for the Interstate-95 corridor.