NYC Expecting Severe Thunderstorms Friday, Under Tornado Watch

UPDATE 2:25 p.m.: The National Weather Service has now issued a Tornado Watch for New York City as well. All five boroughs are under the watch until 10 p.m. Friday night.

ORIGINAL STORY

The Fourth of July Weekend will be starting with a bang — courtesy of thunderstorms, that is.

New York City, and much of the Northeast, is expecting severe thunderstorms to roll through Friday night, and possibly put a crimp in some plans for fireworks. There are fireworks planned for the Coney Island Boardwalk on Friday.

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The Weather Channel says to expect high winds and hail starting mid-afternoon before the line of storms clears up around 11 p.m.

There is some hope for Friday night plans, as the weather should be at its worst from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Today's high is 80 degrees, which The Weather Channel points out will save us from the more-damaging storms that often come with July heat.

The good news is the weather looks excellent for the rest of the Fourth of July Weekend. No rain is expected from Saturday to Monday with highs in the mid- to upper-80s with relatively low humidity.

Photo Credit: dan nguyen via Flickr/Creative Commons