As Hurricane Helene advances, the United States is hunkered down for a series of weather disturbances, including showers, heavy rains, and widespread cloudiness expected to impact the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic regions until the end of September. Initially striking the Florida Panhandle as a potent Category 4 hurricane on Thursday night, Helene has since caused significant destruction across the Southeast with its fierce winds and flooding. Over the weekend, what remained of Helene merged with another storm system in the lower Ohio Valley, setting the stage for extended periods of rain and overcast skies.
The situation is anticipated to persist until a cold front from Canada moves into the Midwest early next week, pushing Helene's remnants towards the East Coast. According to Express US reports, this delay is attributed to weak upper atmospheric currents that will cause Helene's moisture to linger longer than usual in parts of the mid-Atlantic, particularly around central Appalachia until Monday. AccuWeather expert Brandon Buckingham emphasized that this could lead to considerable rainfall and possible flash floods in some regions.
This influx of moist Atlantic air is expected to temporarily increase rainfall across several states including West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Major cities like Washington D.C., and Philadelphia could experience travel delays due to reduced visibility from low-hanging clouds. Jonathan Porter from AccuWeather warns of potential flash floods in certain areas due to slow-moving heavy showers. While widespread flooding isn't anticipated, isolated instances may occur.
For drivers in these areas, caution is advised as visibility may be significantly reduced and roadways might accumulate water. On a positive note, regions currently experiencing drought conditions may find some relief from this precipitation. Alex Duffus from AccuWeather points out that severe drought persists in many parts of West Virginia and southern Ohio; therefore any amount of rainfall is welcomed.
Throughout this period, one-to-two inches of rain are forecasted for the entire Ohio Valley which has been grappling with various degrees of drought severity. However, given the sporadic nature of these showers, not all areas will benefit equally—some may only experience light sprinkles.
Looking ahead into the week, Buckingham predicts that a cold front moving through the Midwest toward the Northeast will eventually clear away any residual moisture off the East Coast. Following this transition is an expected period of dryness accompanied by sunny skies and cooler temperatures—a welcome change after days of relentless downpour and gloominess brought on by Hurricane Helene's aftermath.
The situation is anticipated to persist until a cold front from Canada moves into the Midwest early next week, pushing Helene's remnants towards the East Coast. According to Express US reports, this delay is attributed to weak upper atmospheric currents that will cause Helene's moisture to linger longer than usual in parts of the mid-Atlantic, particularly around central Appalachia until Monday. AccuWeather expert Brandon Buckingham emphasized that this could lead to considerable rainfall and possible flash floods in some regions.
This influx of moist Atlantic air is expected to temporarily increase rainfall across several states including West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Major cities like Washington D.C., and Philadelphia could experience travel delays due to reduced visibility from low-hanging clouds. Jonathan Porter from AccuWeather warns of potential flash floods in certain areas due to slow-moving heavy showers. While widespread flooding isn't anticipated, isolated instances may occur.
For drivers in these areas, caution is advised as visibility may be significantly reduced and roadways might accumulate water. On a positive note, regions currently experiencing drought conditions may find some relief from this precipitation. Alex Duffus from AccuWeather points out that severe drought persists in many parts of West Virginia and southern Ohio; therefore any amount of rainfall is welcomed.
Throughout this period, one-to-two inches of rain are forecasted for the entire Ohio Valley which has been grappling with various degrees of drought severity. However, given the sporadic nature of these showers, not all areas will benefit equally—some may only experience light sprinkles.
Looking ahead into the week, Buckingham predicts that a cold front moving through the Midwest toward the Northeast will eventually clear away any residual moisture off the East Coast. Following this transition is an expected period of dryness accompanied by sunny skies and cooler temperatures—a welcome change after days of relentless downpour and gloominess brought on by Hurricane Helene's aftermath.
