Summertime thunderstorms contain tons of water and are capable of producingexcessive amounts of rain over short periods of time (under an hour). Thesethunderstorms are created in an environment of high humidity and very warmsurface temperatures. Usually you need something to touch the whole thing offlike an area of low pressure and somewhat cooler air in the upperatmosphere.Friday, these ingredients will exist across much of the eastern part of thecountry producing an array of thunderstorms from Florida to Pennsylvania. Thestorms won't hit everybody, but rain can come down in buckets where they do.
These quick bursts of rain can produce ponding of water in low-lying areas thatdon't drain well. These are the things people try to drive through and getthemselves into trouble by doing so.
Though these storms are not the type to produce powerful winds and tornadoesthey will cause plenty of cloud-to-ground lightning. You've heard me say itbefore... Lightning is dangerous and it does kill people. Treat it withrespect.
Story by AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist John Kocet.
