The National Weather Service is issuing a warning about the potential occurrence of tornadoes across a large stretch of the East Coast, from Pennsylvania and New Jersey down to Georgia and Florida, on Wednesday. According to the latest Convective Outlook by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), there is an increased risk of tornadoes in this region. While not everyone will witness tornadoes, it is important for people to be aware that some thunderstorm cells could potentially develop into tornadic activity on Wednesday. In addition to tornadoes, there is also a concern for strong winds and large hail.
The SPC has issued a warning stating that there is a possibility of severe thunderstorms in the eastern Carolinas and southeast Virginia on Wednesday. These storms have the potential to produce scattered damaging-wind gusts and a few tornadoes. Additionally, there may be strong to severe storms in parts of Florida, east Georgia, and the Allegheny Plateau, extending into the Mid Atlantic region. This is due to a strong and deep mid/upper-level shortwave trough that will be moving across the eastern continental United States on Wednesday. At the same time, an intense occluding cyclone will be moving northeastward from central Illinois towards the lower Great Lakes region and eventually into southwestern Quebec.
Intense wind fields will create a risk of scattered damaging winds as these storms progress eastward throughout the day. There is also the possibility of a strong tornado, particularly if any embedded supercell structures can be sustained in parts of the Mid Atlantic. Additionally, there may be strong to potentially severe storms in eastern Georgia and the Florida Peninsula, primarily in the early hours before the thunderstorm activity moves offshore. In the northern regions, including the Allegheny Plateau and the northern Mid Atlantic, conditions are expected to support organized storms, potentially including a few supercells and/or organized line segments. The strongest storms in this area could bring damaging winds, isolated hail, and maybe even a tornado or two, especially during the afternoon and early evening.
The National Weather Service may issue Severe Thunderstorm and/or Tornado Watches and Warnings on Wednesday as the severe storm threat becomes a reality.
