As weather conditions worsen, approximately 11 million Americans are currently under flood alerts this Saturday evening, prompted by a relentless “ring of fire” weather pattern influencing the eastern two-thirds of the nation throughout the weekend.
A flash flood emergency has been declared near the Washington, D.C., area, affecting suburban regions in Maryland, including Chevy Chase and Silver Spring, until 9 p.m. ET.
The National Weather Service has described the situation as “particularly dangerous,” with reports of flash flooding already in effect.
To date, between 3 to 5 inches of rain have fallen in the area, and meteorologists are warning that an additional 1 to 2 inches could follow in the coming hours.
In the heart of the capital, a flood watch is in effect until 10 p.m. ET, amid continued concerns over localized heavy rainfall exacerbated by ongoing showers and thunderstorms.
This influx of moisture, coupled with already saturated ground conditions, further heightens the risk of flooding.
Flood watches are also in effect in various areas across Iowa, western Illinois, and northeastern Missouri through Sunday, alongside advisories for portions of Virginia and northeastern North Carolina lasting through Saturday night.
Regions affected by flood watches may experience rainfall totals between 2 to 4 inches.
Flash Flood Warnings have been issued for southern Illinois, southern Indiana, and northern Kentucky, where thunderstorms have recently delivered heavy rain.
While the impacts of heavy rainfall and flooding are expected to localize, the potential for significant rainfall extends across a substantial portion of the eastern U.S., remaining under a slight risk for excessive rainfall tonight.
Forecasts indicate that anywhere from 1 to 3 inches of additional rain is possible, depending on storm paths, with some areas potentially experiencing higher amounts.
Specific regions including western and central Kentucky, southern Indiana, and southeastern Illinois have been upgraded to a moderate risk—level 3 out of 4—for excessive rainfall as of Saturday evening, anticipating rainfall totals ranging from 3 to 5 inches.
Some areas may see rainfall rates soaring to 2 to 3 inches per hour.
The “ring of fire” phenomenon, while not a formal meteorological term, refers to a high-pressure area typically characterized by a heat dome.
Thunderstorms often form around the outer edges of this dome, giving rise to the term.
As this high pressure remains centered over the Southeast, it is causing dangerously hot and humid weather in that region.
However, strong to severe storms are likely along the edges of this high-pressure area across various parts of the Plains, Midwest, and even extending to portions of the East Coast.
Severe thunderstorm watches are currently in place for southern Maryland, northeastern North Carolina, and Virginia until 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, with key threats involving damaging winds that could reach gusts up to 65 mph and isolated large hail of up to an inch in diameter.
Further west, Nebraska is under a tornado watch until 11 p.m. CT Saturday, while various regions in eastern Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and far northeastern Wyoming face a severe thunderstorm watch until midnight MT, with gusty winds up to 70 mph and the possibility of large hail measuring as much as 2.5 inches.
Overall, over 13 million people across 13 states find themselves under a slight risk—level 2 out of 5—for severe weather as nightfall approaches.
While damaging winds and flash flooding pose a threat to most areas, particularly potent storms developing across parts of the Plains and Midwest could result in the formation of large to very large hail and even a few tornadoes.
As we look ahead to Sunday, parts of the Dakotas will continue to face a slight risk for severe weather, while areas in the Northeast, including major cities like New York City, Boston, and Albany, may also confront strong to severe storms, primarily characterized by damaging winds and potential hail.
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