Forecasters warn that a powerful storm is about to bring a month’s worth of rain to the Northeast. They expect the system to slow and strengthen as it moves into the region today, bringing a potentially significant flood threat to many states.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has released information released Flooding is observed in large areas of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and southern New England. Forecasters will hit parts of the region, especially the tri-state area, through Tuesday evening. Two to five inches (five to 13 centimeters) of rain is expected in the New York City metropolitan area over the next two days, with locally higher amounts possible.
Bryan Ramsey, meteorologist for the New York City NWS office, he said Gothamist believes that some flooding is “potentially life-threatening” as some storms can drop two to three inches (five to eight centimeters) of rain per hour.
“Even an inch per hour can cause minor flooding problems in the New York metro area,” he said, “so when you approach two to three inches per hour, or at least potentially, you can start to see some real flooding problems.”
A slow-moving system will bring several strong showers and thunderstorms today through Wednesday. There is the potential for life-threatening flooding. Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible, mainly over parts of northeastern NJ and NYC. https://t.co/LpL4h0XYMs pic.twitter.com/mZUm0aq56V
— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) July 28, 2026
The impossible summer storm
CNN meteorologists report The storm’s strength will be more on par with systems seen in October, November and December as it continues through central New York on Wednesday. Although we associate summer with thunderstorms, storms are generally less effective during this season because the jet stream is weaker and located further north near the Canadian border.
The unusual system originated from the same atmospheric disturbance that brought severe thunderstorms to parts of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley on Monday. devastating tornado In northeastern Wisconsin, according to CNN. It also draws strength and moisture from warm, moist air over the Southeast, where a a dome of scorching heat it has remained stubbornly in place for days.
While the Northeast faces the greatest flood threat, there is also a slight risk for the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley, according to the NWS. Storms in these areas can also produce damaging winds, large hail and a few tornadoes.
Flood hazards
According to FaktKhaber, floods are one of the deadliest weather hazards in the United States NWS. These events are very dangerous because they combine the destructive power of the flood with incredible speed. Urban and poorly drained areas are particularly prone to flooding because pavement and other hard surfaces prevent water from seeping into the ground.
This was reported by the New York City Emergency Management has started The city’s Flood Emergency Plan and advised New Yorkers to allow extra travel time during thunderstorms and heavy rain.
“Heavy downpours may cause localized flooding in poor drainage and low-lying areas, as well as ‘potential scattered flooding’ on roads, highways and underpasses,” the department said in a statement, although it did not expect widespread flooding Tuesday night.
Other major cities are also at risk of flooding, including Boston, Massachusetts; Hartford, Connecticut; and Newark, New Jersey.
According to CNN, the storm should weaken and move out of the northeast by Friday, although some scattered showers and thunderstorms may follow. If the forecast holds true, we’ll add this storm to the long list of extreme weather events the US has experienced this summer.
