Fourth of July travel woes expected with storms in the Northeast

Travel woes are likely for Fourth of July revelers with planned trips starting Thursday due to stormy weather.

Thirty-nine million people from Philadelphia to Maine in the Northeast corridor are at risk of extreme weather as severe storms are forecast today.

The storms could see 60 mph wind gusts and hail up to one inch in diameter. The turbulent weather is forecast to develop after lunchtime on Thursday and last through the evening, potentially lingering overnight.

The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center said there’s a slight risk level of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Northern Plains, Northeast and mid-Atlantic on Thursday.

New York City will see scattered storms from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET, Philadelphia from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Boston from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

In New York, the likeliest window for severe threat will be during prime travel time after work, from about 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., NBC New York reported.

Come Independence Day, the West Coast will enjoy a mild and sunny day. Texas and Florida will see more scattered storms, with severe storms possible in the Northern Plains. The Northeast will experience nice weather, with temperature highs in the 80s.

Officials say this is the busiest Fourth of July travel week in years.

The Transportation Security Administration said it expects more than 18.5 million people to travel by air over the holiday week and pass through the nation’s airport security checkpoints.

The Federal Aviation Administration said this Fourth of July travel week will be the busiest seen in 15 years, with over 300,000 flights scheduled throughout the week.

A record 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel domestically this week from June 28 to July 6, according to the American Automobile Association — that’s an increase of 1.7 million travelers compared to last year.

Of those travelers, AAA projects 61.6 million people will travel by car, 5.84 million by air, and 4.78 million by bus, train, or cruise.