As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, severe weather is targeting large portions of the United States, threatening to disrupt holiday travel and outdoor celebrations. A massive heat dome responsible for dangerous temperatures across the country is actively steering these storms along its weaker outer edges.
Storms Expected to Vary in Size and Intensity
The storms are expected to vary significantly in size and intensity. Forecasters warn that while many will spike during the hot afternoon and evening hours, some could merge into massive, long-lived complexes that last through the night and into the next morning. In extreme cases, these systems can transform into destructive derechos or isolated supercells capable of traveling hundreds of miles.
Outdoor holiday plans face a mix of threats, including localized flash flooding from torrential downpours, frequent lightning, and damaging wind gusts that could trigger power outages. Some areas could also see hail ranging from pea-sized to the size of golf balls, or even a brief tornado.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
