Travel & RV Weather Forecast Thursday 22 September

Active weather today through the Rockies from Montana to the Southwest. Strong winds, heavy rains and strong thunderstorms will impact the region.
Strong to possibly severe thunderstorms move across the eastern seaboard this morning and afternoon, with potentially damaging winds.
Please see the write-up in the ‘Eastern’ section for my assessment of the potential tropical system that may develop in the next day or two over the eastern Caribbean.

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Pacific:

— No significant weather impacts to RV travel today or Friday.

Mountain:

— Southeast and east-central UT; southwest and west-central CO; central, northeast and east-central AZ: Flood Watches through this evening. Greatest potential for flash flooding today is in southwest CO. I-17, I-40, I-70 potentially impacted.

— Western and central WY; eastern MT: Strong winds this afternoon and evening. Gusts 30-45 mph. Winds will be strongest at high elevations and through mountain passes. I-80, I-90, I-94 impacted.

— Southeast MT and northeast WY: Thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts possible this afternoon. I-80, I-90 potentially impacted.

— Central and south-central MT; eastern WY: Strong winds Thursday from late morning through evening. Gusts 30-45 mph.I-25, I-80, I-90 impacted.

— Southeast WY: Dense Fog Advisory this morning. I-80 between Cheyenne and Laramie impacted.

— Southeast WY: High Wind Warnings tonight through Friday afternoon. Gusts to 65 mph. I-25 (between Wheatland and Chugwater), I-80 (Arlington and Elk Mountain) impacted.

Central:

— No significant weather impacts to RV travel today or Friday.

Eastern:

— MA; CT; RI; most of NJ; DE; Eastern Shore MD; eastern VA; central and northeast NC: Thunderstorms with damaging winds possible this morning through early afternoon. This area is basically centered along I-95.

— RV interests in FL, along the northern and eastern Gulf Coast, and over the Southeast should stay in touch with the latest forecasts from the National Hurricane Center regarding likely tropical development later this week. As my last graphic today shows, IF the storm develops (likely but not guaranteed), there is a good chance it will impact some combination of the Gulf Coast, FL Keys and Peninsula or Southeast, potentially as early as early next week. It is far too soon to say anything about the exact track or the storm’s intensity (despite what you might see posted on the internet). If I had travel plans to FL, and especially the Keys, I would come up with a “Plan ‘B’” if I had to evacuate, and understand the campground’s refund policy for bad weather. Needless to say, this is a system that, IF it develops, will bear close watching.

Severe Weather and Tropical Watches and Warnings

— See https://rvweather.com/warnings-watches-and-advisories/#NHC_Hurricane_Advisory for the latest WARNINGS and information on Tropical Storm FIONA.

— See https://rvweather.com/warnings-watches-and-advisories/#SPC_Tornado_Watch for the latest Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm WATCHES

— See https://rvweather.com/warnings-watches-and-advisories/#NWS_Tornado_Warning for the latest Tornado, Severe Thunderstorm, and Flash Flood WARNINGS.

Flash Flood Threat Thursday and Thursday night 22 September
Total rainfall amounts through Sunday evening 25 September
A depiction of the possible tracks for the potential tropical storm that may develop in the eastern Caribbean.