Over 25 million people at risk for severe thunderstorms on Thursday

After a day with several areas of thunderstorms that produced damaging winds on Wednesday, meteorologists warn that the latter part of the week is shaping up to be quite active with thunderstorms with multiple regions at risk for severe weather.

Mid-Atlantic

One of the most widespread areas of wind damage on Wednesday was in the mid-Atlantic, with Pennsylvania and New Jersey particularly hard hit. Forecasters warn that due to the location of a front, some of the same areas in Pennsylvania and New Jersey may again endure volatile conditions.

After Philadelphia had two rounds of damaging winds on Wednesday, the city may again be at risk for severe thunderstorms into Thursday evening.

The potential for severe thunderstorms exists in central and southeastern Ohio, Pennsylvania, central and southern New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and northern, western and central Virginia.

While storms moved in from the northwest on Wednesday, the thunderstorms are likely to arrive from the west or southwest on Thursday afternoon and evening. People will need to heed any warnings that are issued as the storms approach. Overall, the storms are not likely to pack the speed of Wednesday's storms, nor be quite as intense.

Following the first 90-degree day of the year in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, another day of heat and humidity has followed on Thursday. However, while Wednesday was dry in the nation's capital, Thursday is unlikely to follow suit.

In fact, two National Guardsmen were struck by lightning in Washington, D.C. on Thursday evening, as they were standing under a tree. They were subsequently hospitalized with serious but non life-threatening injuries.

Other locations in the mid-Atlantic at risk for severe thunderstorms into Thursday evening are Charleston, West Virginia; and Roanoke, Virginia.

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The summerlike air will serve as fuel for any thunderstorms to contain damaging winds and flooding downpours as they did on Wednesday, and small hail will also be possible. Like on Wednesday, the storms should diminish in coverage and intensity shortly after sunset.

Northern Plains

A second area to watch for severe thunderstorms into Thursday evening will be over the northern Plains.

This area of storms will be in association with a cold front moving southeastward in that area. In addition, a piece of energy in the upper atmosphere will also aid in thunderstorm development.

Areas from central South Dakota to northeastern Nebraska, southern Minnesota, much of Iowa and northern Missouri are at risk. The greatest risk for locations in Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri will be near and after dark.

Some cities at risk will include Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Des Moines, Iowa; and Lincoln, Nebraska. While damaging winds and flooding downpours will also be a risk in these locations, hail will be more of a risk than with the storms in the East.

Storms in this area may be a bit more isolated in coverage, so some residents may be lucky enough to escape without any thunderstorms.

Southern Plains

A third part of the country will also need to keep an eye to the sky into Thursday evening. This area will include the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles, to as far eastward as Oklahoma City. In this region, an area of energy high in the atmosphere will be the main culprit for thunderstorm initiation. Torrential downpours, hail and damaging wind gusts will all be risks within this area.

Storms that move in from the west are likely to weaken before midnight. However, a second area of thunderstorms may move from north to south after midnight. This is the batch of thunderstorms that is likely to affect areas around Oklahoma City. These thunderstorms should fall apart before reaching the Red River close to sunrise.

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