Persistent heat wave grips the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, bringing the risk of severe storms

The record-breaking temperatures that businesses experienced across the North Central states over the Labor Day holiday will cool down, but that will bring the chance of severe weather. AccuWeather For Business is urging companies and communities to start preparing now for potential business disruptions. 

A cold front is set to move through the Midwest and Great Lakes region from Tuesday to Thursday, bringing the potential for severe thunderstorms. On Tuesday afternoon and evening a moderate risk for severe thunderstorms is forecast from eastern Minnesota to northwestern Wisconsin, carrying the risk of hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes. Farther south, into the Ozarks and Southern Plains, there is also a possibility of thunderstorms continuing into the evening hours. There is an AccuWeather StormMax™ of 80 mph.

>>READ MORE: AccuWeather’s SkyGuard Warnings prevents unnecessary shutdown at Fujifilm factories, distribution center

After the cold front and stormy weather move out, temperatures are expected to drop by 20-30 degrees, with temperatures returning to below the historical average for early September. As we move into Wednesday, the potential for severe thunderstorms will shift eastward, encompassing areas from southern Michigan down to northern Louisiana and Mississippi. There is a continued risk of severe weather Thursday across the interior Northeast, bringing the potential for heavy rainfall and destructive wind gusts. There is an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 75 mph. 

The heat will persist in the Northeast through the first week of September, as temperatures are anticipated to climb back into the upper 80s and 90s throughout the middle of the week. In some areas like Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, highs may even reach near 100 degrees, potentially shattering daily temperature records.

>>READ MORE: Extreme Heat: How it can impact your business

Extreme heat also can impact businesses in the following ways:

• Reduced Workforce Productivity: High temperatures can decrease productivity as employees struggle to concentrate and perform physical tasks efficiently.
• Increased Cooling Costs: Businesses may face higher cooling costs as they try to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures for employees and customers during heat waves.
• Equipment Failure: Intense heat can cause equipment malfunctions and breakdowns, leading to costly repairs and operational disruptions.
• Supply Chain Disruptions: Extreme heat can affect the transportation and distribution of goods, leading to delays in the supply chain and potential shortages of essential products.

How AccuWeather For Business can help

Be proactive with AccuWeather SkyGuard® Warnings backed by Superior Accuracy™, which will deliver site-specific alerts and warnings well before severe weather hits, giving you much-needed time to prepare. 

 Benefits of SkyGuard® Warnings: 

• Proactive, site-specific alerts offer warnings well before severe weather impacts occur
• Live one-on-one or group consultation is provided by our weather experts anytime, day or night
• Reviewed Tornado Notifications: we monitor your pinpoint location and alert you when a tornado isn't threatening your assets
• Alerts delivered in a format that aligns with your organizational emergency management plan
• All-clear notifications are sent when a threat is over, minimizing weather-related downtime
• All alerts are delivered via push notification from the SkyGuard mobile app, available on Android and iOS

Want to learn more about how we can help you? Demo SkyGuard today and better protect your business, employees, and assets.