Severe Storms, Flooding Threaten Mid-Atlantic, Northeast States

Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are forecast across multiple regions in the eastern United States this week, prompting numerous flood watches and heat advisories. Central North Carolina faces a risk of damaging winds and isolated flooding, with up to 3 inches of rain possible, compounding recent flooding impacts. Central Virginia and parts of the Mid-Atlantic are under a severe thunderstorm watch with threats including hail, damaging winds, and flash flooding amid ongoing heat advisories with temperatures feeling above 105 degrees. On Long Island, a slow-moving cold front interacting with tropical air is expected to produce torrential downpours and flash flooding, with rainfall rates potentially exceeding 2 inches per hour. The Hudson Valley will experience muggy conditions and high heat indices nearing 100 degrees before thunderstorms bring heavy rain and flood watches into effect, with isolated flash flooding likely. A 'backdoor' cold front is expected to bring cooler temperatures and an end to the heat, but not before Tuesday's storms produce localized flooding and gusty winds in parts of Massachusetts and surrounding areas.