A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, making storms capable of unleashing huge amounts of rain over land. Studies have shown that for every degree Fahrenheit that the planet heats up, the atmosphere can hold around 3% to 4% more moisture. As a result, flooding risks across the country are expected to increase in the coming years.

Storms are lashing the East Coast from Virginia to Connecticut, flooding roadways and delaying flights from Boston to Washington, D

A person shields themselves from rainfall with a plastic bag on July 31, 2025 in New York City. Widespread storms swept across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Thursday, bringing bursts of heavy rain.