The MIdwest is seeing severe storms on Wednesday that will shift east on Thursday and move into the Northeast. Heavy rain is expected for some areas, with a level 2 out of 4 flash flood threat in effect. Storms could also produce damaging winds.
THE TAKEAWAY
- Storms kick off Wednesday in the Midwest.
- 26 million Americans in the Northeast are under a Level 2 storm threat on Thursday.
- Damaging winds are the primary concern, but flash flooding is also possible.
A cold front sweeping east is creating back-to-back days of active weather and storms for the Midwest and into the Northeast.
The severe weather threat started on Wednesday, with storms in the Midwest and Great Lakes capable of producing damaging winds, quarter-sized hail and possibly even a tornado or two through the late afternoon and evening hours.
The best chance of tornadoes will set up across northern Indiana and far southern Lower Michigan when spin is maximized closest to the cold front, the FOX Forecast Center said.
TORNADO SAFETY: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TAKING SHELTER DURING SEVERE WEATHER
Detroit, Toledo, Ohio, Fort Wayne, Indiana and Champaign, Illinois, are some of the biggest cities in the Level 2 out of 5 severe weather threat.
(FOX Weather)
On Thursday, the cold front that fired up the storms in the Midwest, shifts into the Northeast.
Scattered thunderstorm development is expected during the afternoon and evening hours, the FOX Forecast Center said.
WHAT IS A SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORM?
Supercell thunderstorms will be possible, along with a risk of damaging winds, hail and some tornadoes.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA- NOVEMBER 19: The Philadelphia skyline is shrouded in fog and rain in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
(Matthew Hatcher / Getty Images)
Some of these storms in the evening could produce wind gusts of 60 mph or stronger.
Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Baltimore are some of the major cities under a Level 2 out of 5 severe weather threat Thursday.
(FOX Weather)
The strongest storms will be concentrated in central Pennsylvania and New York.
In total, more than 26 million Americans in the Northeast are under a Level 2 out of 5 severe threat on Thursday.
SOUTH FACES DAYS OF DANGEROUS WEATHER AS FLASH FLOOD, SEVERE STORM THREAT STRETCHES INTO WEEKEND
(FOX Weather)
Leftover clouds from these storms could obscure the view of the partial lunar eclipse into late Thursday night.
In addition to severe storms, flash flooding is also possible for areas that have already seen flash flooding this summer.
(FOX Weather)
A Level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk is present from Philadelphia up into southern New York state for Thursday afternoon.
Philadelphia alone has already seen four flash flood warnings in 2026, with three occurring in August. Currently, the city is running over an inch and a half above average for rain month to date.
Localized rain totals over 1 to 2 inches are possible through early Friday morning.
