Excitement is building for Independence Day activities this week, andfireworks take center stage in many communities. Below is a sampling of the topfireworks displays in the nation for the evening of July 4, 2009.Ideal conditions for fireworks are that of clear skies, a modest breeze, lowhumidity and moderate temperatures. A lack of wind and high humidity may causesmoke to linger and could cause fog to form, obscuring the show. Rain couldcause electrical problems with high-tech shows and cause fuses to fail to lightin general. Sound travels the best in dry, cool air, if big booms exciteyou.
You can check out the latest AccuWeather.com forecast by clicking on thelink for each city below. In the major cities, you will also find aninteresting video on the local weather on the right of that forecast page.
Trouble spots for showers during the evening of July 4 this year includenorthern New England, the Gulf of Mexico Coast, much of the Mississippi Valley,the northern and central Plains and the high ground over the Rockies.
If rain is in the offing for your fireworks of choice, be sure to check withlocal authorities as to the rain dates. If you can't attend one of the showslisted below, many other communities throughout the nation plan displays thisweekend.
Before attempting your own personal fireworks display, be sure to check forlocal laws and restrictions. In parts of the South, ongoing drought isprohibiting use of personal fireworks, unlike in the past.
Macy's 4th of July, Hudson River, New YorkHarbor, N.Y.
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, Charles River, Boston,Mass.Central Pennsylvania 4th Fest,State College-University Park, Pa.
Sunoco Welcome America,Philadelphia, Pa.
Independence Day Celebration,Washington, D.C.
WaMu Family 4th, Seattle, Wash.
Go 4th on the River, NewOrleans, La.
Friendship Festival, Buffalo, N.Y.Lights on the Lake, SouthLake Tahoe, Nev.
Freedom Over Texas, Houston, TexasOmaha Royals and Omaha World Herald, Omaha,Neb.
Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa Fireworks, Atlantic City, N.J.
4th of July Salute to Independence, Intercoastal Park,Boynton Beach, Fla.
Caesars Palace 4th, LasVegas, Nev.
Independence Day Celebration, Part of Tastes of Chicago, Navy Pier, Chicago, Ill.
4th of July Celebration, Pier 39, SanFrancisco, Calif.
4th of July Fireworks Spectacular, Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta, Ga.
4th of July Fireworks, Silverton, Colo.
Freedom Fourth USA,Albuquerque, N.M.
Yorktown Fourth of July Fireworks, Yorktown, Va.
Independence Day at Maunalua Bay, Honolulu, HawaiiBig Bay Boom, SanDiego Bay, Calif.
Story by AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski
