Fourth of July is always a busy period across the country with people traveling and numerous firework displays. AAA estimates 41.9 million will travel at least 50 miles from home over the period of July 1st through the 5th. If that were to happen, it would be the most to travel since 2007. Approximately 85% will drive to their location with the lowest early July gas prices in at least five years. So what weather can you expect for your Independence Day festivities?
Friday Forecast
We’re still watching a stationary front across the Mid-Atlantic and Tennessee Valley that will bring another round of showers and storms along with it – some of which could be on the strong side as we head through the afternoon hours. A dying cool front will bring some showers and storms to parts of the upper Midwest from Minnesota into the U.P. of Michigan, and some showers and storms are possible over parts of the Great Basin and the Southwest.
Highs once again are expected to reach into the 90s and 100s across the west, with record highs possible for places such as Yakima, WA, and Missoula, MT. Temperatures along the Pacific coast, however, are expected to be in the 60s and 70s. Many areas across the south will be in the 90s, but temperatures across the rest of the eastern U.S. will be in the 70s and 80s.
Saturday Forecast
We continue to watch the chance of showers and storms across many areas of the east as we head through your Fourth of July Saturday, and a few of those storms could be severe in the Gulf states. Good news is that many of these storms will be the hit-and-miss variety of storms, and not an all-day washout of your holiday. Storms are also possible along parts of the High Plains – and a few of these could also be on the strong side. More rain is possible over parts of the Southwest, Great Basin and over the Northern Rockies.
Parts of the west will once again be as hot as a firecracker on Saturday, with highs in the 90s and 100s and some records expected in the Northwest. 90s are once again expected along the Gulf and into the Carolinas, with much of the rest of the nation in the 70s and 80s. The coolest weather – besides along the Pacific coast – will be over parts of the Northeast and near the Great Lakes, where some areas may not make it out of the 60s.
Sunday Forecast
For the travel home on Sunday, or any other festivities that filter into the end of the weekend, once again parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast could see pop-up showers and storms. Rain is also expected over the Plains states, with potentially some of the heaviest over the upper Midwest. Rain will also be expected over parts of the Great Basin, Rockies, and Southwest once again on Sunday. Showers are also possible across parts of northern New England.
Temperatures will still be warm, but likely a few degrees cooler, across portions of the Northwest. Places such as Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR, could still potentially see record highs. 90s are possible in the center of the country as far north as southern Nebraska. Highs in the 90s will also be likely in the Gulf Coast states. 80s will stretch all the way to the Canadian border in parts of the upper Midwest, and into southern Maine in the Northeast.
(CHECK OUT YOUR FORECAST: wx.aerisweather.com)
Remember you can always find me on Twitter (@dkayserwx) or on Facebook (Meteorologist D.J. Kayser).
– Meteorologist D.J. Kayser
