The shift will affect much of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.
AccuWeather says more than 80 million people across the eastern US will feel the warm surge through Wednesday, May 20, as temperatures climb into the 80s and 90s.
The heat is expected to peak Tuesday across much of the East, then shift closer to the Atlantic Coast and Southeast on Wednesday. AccuWeather says heat index values could top 100 degrees in some areas.
AccuWeather graphics show I-95 staying very warm to hot on Wednesday afternoon, with humid air in place and cooler air waiting to the west.
Then comes the storm. A cold front moving into the warm, humid air will spark showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday into Wednesday evening, Daily Voice reported earlier this week.
AccuWeather says severe thunderstorms will develop from eastern Tennessee to southeastern New York and parts of southern New England on Wednesday.
The threat zone includes New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and surrounding areas. The main risks are downpours, hail, and localized damaging wind gusts of 55 to 65 mph.
Travel could be slowed during the Wednesday afternoon and evening commute, especially where storms hit major interstates or airport hubs.
The front will also bring a major temperature change.
AccuWeather graphics show much of the I-95 corridor running 20 to 30 degrees lower by Thursday, May 21. The cooldown will linger into Friday, May 22, and Saturday, May 23.
“Do not expect this heat wave to stick around for the holiday weekend," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham. "The spring temperature rollercoaster ride continues with another steep drop before the end of the week.
"Places with high temperatures in the 90s may struggle to reach the 60s by Friday and Saturday," Buckingham noted.
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