Weather to Know: Gulf Coast faces hurricane threat, storms forecast across East
The eastern portion of the U.S. will see wet conditions on multiple fronts this week, as the southern half of the region faces a hurricane threat while the northern half could see thunderstorms.
An evolving storm in the Carribean could be the next hurricane to make landfall, according to AccuWeather. The Northeast could see much needed rain from a storm off of the Great Lakes breaking a dry spell for the region.
The forecaster also said that a cold front could fuel storms across the plains and the Tennessee Valley through the early and middle parts of the week.
Here is this week's Weather to Know:
Hurricane could hit Gulf late in week: See storm tracker
AccuWeather forecasters sounded the alarm on what is currently a tropical rainstorm that could grow into a hurricane that hits the Florida Panhandle on Thursday night.
"Everyone along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region needs to be prepared for hurricane impacts," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said.
The rainstorm is currently in the western Carribean, drawing strength from the warm ocean water. The forecaster projected that the storm would reach hurricane status Wednesday night and included a potential path cone that includes much of the Gulf Coast.
"Residents along the entire Gulf Coast from New Orleans to Key West, Florida, including the Tampa Bay metropolitan areas, should closely monitor the progress of the potential storm," the forecaster said.
Storms across plains
A cold front moving east will likely bring storms to the plains and the Upper Midwest through the start of the week.
"Areas of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio will become the new stomping grounds for impactful storms on Monday, with downpours and gusty winds expected into the overnight hours," the forecaster wrote.
AccuWeather also warned that the front could cause damage in the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys Tuesday, as a stretch of the country from Pittsburgh to Nashville could see thunderstorms with wind gusts from 55-65 mph and isolated thunderstorms.
Northeast to see drought breaking rain
A dry spell in the Northeast is forecasted to break this week, bringing relief to places like New York City, which AccuWeather recorded as having over 2.75 inches less rain than average so far this year.
"As a slow-moving storm moves out of the Great Lakes and into the Northeast and mid-Atlantic later this week, moisture will be drawn northward and this will finally bring the dry stretch to an end," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said.
The rain and accompanying temperature drop in the region, highs the Big Apple are forecasted to be in the upper 60's, could make September baseball feel more like postseason play.
"The potential for rain around midweek could cause delays in a key baseball game Wednesday evening as the New York Yankees host the Baltimore Orioles in the Bronx, New York, in an important series," Pydynowski said.