Millions of 4th of July travelers face potential storm-related delays across US
Fourth of July travelers are in for traffic and flight delays this week as a cold front pushing across the US is forecast to bring storms to the eastern half of the country, which could culminate in a washout on July Fourth for the Southeast.
AAA is predicting a record-breaking 72.2 million Americans will travel for the holiday, due in part to America's birthday falling on a Friday this year, creating a three-day weekend.
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The FOX Forecast Center is tracking unsettled weather ahead of a cold front moving across the country early this week. For those hoping to get an early start on the celebration, travel disruptions are possible early this week from the Ohio Valley to the Southeast.
On Monday, as the cold front sags across New England, some stronger thunderstorms are possible across major cities from Tampa in Florida to Cleveland in Ohio to Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. These storms could cause ripple-effect delays across the country for airline travelers.
5 AAA is predicting a record-breaking 72.2 million Americans will travel for the holiday.
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5 For those hoping to get an early start on the celebration, travel disruptions are possible early this week from the Ohio Valley to the Southeast.
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By Tuesday, the tough travel conditions will extend to the Northeast flight hubs as storms fire along the Interstate 95 corridor. Thunderstorms could impact travel up and down this region, including cities such as New York, Boston, Washington, Baltimore, Atlanta and Tallahassee, Florida.
On Wednesday, things dry out for the Northeast, Midwest and northern Plains, but the Southeast continues to face storm chances. Stormy conditions are possible along the coastal Carolinas through Georgia, with increasing thunderstorm activity across Florida as tropical moisture contributes to the drenching this week.
5 Thunderstorms could impact travel up and down the I-95 corridor, including cities such as New York and Boston.
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5 These storms could cause ripple-effect delays across the country for airline travelers.
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The National Hurricane Center tagged an area to watch off the Southeast coast later this week, with some possible development heading into the holiday weekend. Regardless of any development, tropical downpours are likely for Florida.
For the holiday itself, stormy conditions will remain for the Southeast, especially in Florida. In the Southwest, monsoon moisture and tropical moisture will contribute to storm chances for the Four Corners region.
5 For the holiday itself, stormy conditions will remain for the Southeast, especially in Florida.
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Meanwhile, the West Coast, Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic and Northeast look to have the best forecast for Fourth of July celebrations.
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Cities including Columbus, Ohio, St. Louis and Chicago have favorable conditions for Independence Day.
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Lake Tahoe tragedy provides a life-or-death lesson
TAHOE CITY — Today I offer boating tips for Lake Tahoe — actually, for any body of water. That's not one of my usual column topics. Normally I write about California government and politics. But this time I'm writing about boating because I've been wincing after reading and watching news reports of the horrific accident on Tahoe that killed eight people June 21. Moreover, the Fourth of July means we're in the heart of boating season. There are 4 million recreational boaters in California, according to the state Division of Boating and Waterways. There's an average of 514 boating accidents a year. And July is the worst month. I've been boating at Tahoe for 55 years, and on some water since I was a teen. These are my basic rules for safety and enjoyment, at least in a vessel up to about 30 feet. My Tahoe boats mostly have been 22 to 24 feet. For starters, if Lake Tahoe winds are already blowing at 10 mph and it's not even noon, be smart. Don't venture out in a recreational powerboat. 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She had planned to go for a cruise that Saturday but dropped the idea after seeing the forecast. 'The afternoon winds pick up at Tahoe. If they're approaching 10 [mph] before noon, I don't go out,' she told me. 'I saw that forecast and said, 'No way.' 'If there's any whisper of wind, I don't go out. We've been caught out there before. I don't take a chance.' The people who died were in a practically new 27-foot Chris-Craft Launch, a high-end, gorgeous open-bow boat. It was the vessel's third time on the water. Ten people were aboard, mostly in their 60s and 70s. They were relatives and lifelong friends, celebrating a woman's 71st birthday. She was among the fatalities. They were trying to return from popular Emerald Bay to their west side home in midafternoon when eight-foot swells swamped the boat, deadening the engine and capsizing the vessel off rocky Rubicon Point near D.L. Bliss State Park. 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