July Fourth Weather Forecast: Tropical Storm Arthur May Strengthen Into Hurricane, Hit DC, NYC and Boston
Before you whip out the barbeque grill or plan a day at the Beach for the holiday weekend, make sure to check the weather forecast as a looming storms threatens to hit the East Coast just in time for the Fourth of July.
The first tropical storm of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season, which threatens to wreck Independence Day weekend, has formed and been named Arthur. The storm started off as a tropical depression on Tuesday over Miami and the Bahamas and is projected to strengthen and possibly head up the Atlantic coast as the holiday approaches. Some forecasts even warn that it may reach hurricane force.
A tropical storm watch has been issued for part of the Atlantic coast of Florida and could be extended Tuesday, reports NBC News.
According to the National Hurricane Center, the system could reach minimal hurricane strength by the time it hits North Carolina's the Outer Banks on Thursday night.
At 2 p.m. Tuesday, the center was tracking Arthur as it moved toward the northwest at 5 mph, which should continue through the night. Its center is expected to remain east of the east-central coast of Florida through Wednesday night.
As a result, Florida can expect heavy rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, with accumulations of 1 to 3 inches, and up to 5 inches in some areas. The Bahamas could also recieve up to 6 inches of rain.
Because the Outer Banks is a low string of barrier islands, CNN meteorologist Chad Myers warned that rain could easily wash onto the roads, causing them to become impassable before the eye of the storm makes landfall. He also stressed that all preparation for the storm should be done as soon as possible.
After hitting the Carolinas, forecasters say the system is likely to head northeast, bringing showers to New York City and Boston. Washington will also likely get some rain, although it's unclear how torrential the downpour could be or how it might affect the July Fourth holiday.
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