Cool, wet Mid-Atlantic and Northeast for rest of workweek

The spurt of severe weather over the past week, now responsible for more than 3,600 reports to the NWS, is now mainly done. The exception is a few locations in the eastern U.S. that could see a lower threat of severe hazards than recent days.

Weather Watch

One more day. A weeklong stint of significant severe weather is coming to an end. First, some tornado risk may develop in eastern North Carolina and under the upper level low around eastern Ohio. There’s also a Level 2 of 4 flood risk in and around western Maryland, which prompted recently flooded schools to close for the day.

Southern France floods. Several people were killed by flooding in southeast France on Tuesday, following severe thunderstorms and days of heavy rain. Numerous roads and bridges, plus rail lines, were damaged or destroyed. The Saint-Tropez Airport was flooded, with scenes of planes in the water emerging.

Northeast cool snap. Part of the same jet stream dip causing severe weather in recent days will strengthen and slow down over the Northeast. It brings cool and frequently wet weather to the Mid-Atlantic and New England through the end of the work week. Many locations should pick up more than an inch, with some perhaps seeing 2 or 3 inches.

Lightning links

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Second EF4 from May 16

The tornado that hit London, Kentucky, killing 19 along its 55-mile track, has been rated an EF4, the second strongest on a 0 to 5 scale. An announcement came Tuesday.

It’s the second confirmed violent (EF4 or EF5) tornado of the day, the other occurring in southern Illinois several hours prior.

The five violent tornadoes on the year (so far) are the most since six in 2020 and not far off average. Recent years have consistently offered below average violent tornado counts.

Meteorologist Andrew Berrington pointed out that it is the first time the U.S. has had more than one day with two violent tornadoes in the same year since 2011. The other instance this year was March 14 in Arkansas.

Violent tornadoes account for about 1 percent of tornadoes but well past half of tornado deaths. Add in nighttime plus an elderly population in the impact area, and a tornado disaster can rapidly unfold.

If you missed it, check out deeper thoughts on the event and the fallout.

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Weekday morning newsletter by a journalist/forecaster. Connecting weather and climate change dots while occasionally stirring the pot.

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