Binghamton, N.Y. – Fourth of July plans across the Northeast could be cut short Thursday evening as powerful storms sweep across New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island under Severe Thunderstorm Watch 484.
According to the National Weather Service in Binghamton and the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., the watch remains in effect until 10 p.m. EDT. The alert includes cities such as Binghamton, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Providence, Worcester, and parts of the Hudson Valley. Primary threats include 60 mph wind gusts, large hail, frequent lightning, and localized flooding.
In New York, Broome, Otsego, and Sullivan counties are under the watch, while in Pennsylvania, the threat stretches from the Poconos to the Wyoming Valley, including Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Pike counties. Farther east, Boston, Springfield, and Warwick could also see strong to severe storms that may disrupt evening travel and fireworks events.
Residents should secure outdoor items, avoid flooded roads, and stay indoors during storms. Power outages are possible, and downed trees could impact secondary roadways.
Storms are expected to taper off by midnight, but more weather alerts may follow for the holiday weekend. Monitor local updates and keep phones charged in case of emergencies.
