Thunderstorms, bad weather could affect NYC July 4 travel

New Yorkers could be battling stifling air and possible thunderstorms while celebrating or traveling for Independence Day on Tuesday.

The National Weather Service predicts a 50% chance of rain and storms from the afternoon through the evening on July 4.

“Showers and locally heavy thunderstorms may be a problem for outdoor activities as far north as New England and New York,” according to an AccuWeather forecast published Monday.

Forecasters also expected rain and storms to be a problem on Monday, as the NWS said “a broad area of low pressure will keep unsettled weather in the area thru Independence Day.”

As of Monday afternoon, all major city July 4 events were scheduled to occur as planned, including the famous Macy’s show from the East River and the follow-up display on Coney Island.

Across the city, the morning is expected to be clearer, while scattered showers and storms are predicted for the afternoon and into the evening.

AccuWeather forecasters anticipate a high of 86 degrees but say it will feel much worse due to the sticky humidity.

New Yorkers won’t be the only Americans dealing with unpleasant heat on the nation’s birthday. A countrywide heat wave is expected to spike temperatures from Las Vegas to Miami. Temperatures are projected to exceed 110 degrees in Sin City.

Meanwhile, much of the East Coast is projected to see thunderstorms, as the cloud cover and rainfall stretch from Atlanta to Albany, according to AccuWeather. And the Midwest isn’t in the clear either.

“Just as in the East and South, people spending time outdoors, such as camping and boating along the shores of Lakes Superior or visitors at Mount Rushmore National Park, South Dakota, should keep a weather eye out for rapidly changing weather conditions through Tuesday evening,” said AccuWeather meteorologist Matt Benz.