Urgent tornado warning as forecast map shows severe storm outbreak threatening Northeast in just HOURS
Nearly 50 million Americans are in the danger zone for a severe thunderstorm that could bring tornadoes to multiple states throughout the Northeast in just hours.
The National Weather Service has warned that 17 states are in the path of the storm, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio.
Starting Tuesday afternoon, flash flooding, hail and wind gusts up to 75mph are expected, including in major cities such as New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Washington DC.
North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Connecticut and Massachusetts also face a chance of seeing extreme weather Tuesday night.
NWS added that there is a small chance that this weather develops into a supercell, a rare and extreme thunderstorm capable of producing tornadoes that topple trees or tear apart roofs.
The NWS Storm Prediction Center projected a five percent chance of a tornado touching down tonight within a corridor from Kentucky to New York where 57 million people live.
AccuWeather Expert Meteorologist Tyler Roys said in a statement: ‘While tornadoes can’t be ruled out, the bigger threat today is damaging straight-line winds as lines of storms sweeps through the region.’
‘In a densely populated corridor like this, that kind of wind can down trees and power lines fast and it’s timing up with the evening commute, which is exactly when we don’t want people caught off guard.’
A storm that may produce tornadoes near the New York City area (Pictured) is expected to impact millions starting Tuesday afternoon
The National Weather Service has warned of severe thunderstorms affecting 50 million people on Tuesday
Potentially deadly flash flooding is expected to cause major travel disruptions along the entire East Coast on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the heaviest flooding expected to span from the New York City area to North Carolina.
New York City’s Department of Emergency Management has warned residents to expect the worst of the storm between 6pm and 11pm ET.
New York’s John F Kennedy and LaGuardia Airports have both issued ground stops due to impending thunderstorms, delaying travelers by more than two hours.
AccuWeather meteorologists expect the storm to have its biggest impact on the evening commute for millions of Americans tonight.
Heavy showers and thunderstorms will increase the risk of localized flash flooding, especially in urban areas where drains are unable to handle that amount of water pouring down, sometimes in just a matter of minutes.
This often catches people by surprise with little or no warning to get to safety. Forecasters have warned that this makes flash flooding one of the most dangerous types of flooding.
NWS officials warned in a statement: ‘Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.’
No official tornado watches or warnings have been issued in the Northeast as of 12pm ET.
Flash flooding and travel disruptions are expected to impact millions across the US East Coast
A tornado touches down in Indiana in March 2026 during a major thunderstorm (Stock Image)
There is a slight risk of tornadoes across mover ten states on July 21
AccuWeather revealed that the major storm event formed after a large cold front pushed eastward across the US and crashed into very warm and humid air lingering after a massive heat dome blanketed the region earlier in the month.
When cooler air clashes with this hot, moist air, it forces the warm air to rise quickly – creating powerful thunderstorms.
This is a breaking story. More details to follow.
