Monday's live blog: Big storms to hinder holiday festivities

The Weather & Radar Task Force is activated. With many celebrating the Independence Day holiday today, the weather will have to be top of mind thanks to the incoming severe weather. This blog will be updated throughout the day on Monday to bring you the latest information about the storms possibly interrupting holiday celebrations.

Skies might be starting to look like the image below as these storms move toward you this afternoon and evening. For those heading home for the afternoon commute shortly, be sure to check on the WeatherRadar before leaving. Give yourself extra time if you can.

The latest severe thunderstorm watch has been issued but this time for the north-central Plains where we will see activity bubble up shortly. Tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail are all possible with these storms.

Our focus isn't only on the eastern U.S. today but also on the north-central Plains. Plentiful sunshine providing heat and a southerly flow has been priming the atmosphere all afternoon. There may not be much on the WeatherRadar at this moment, but we expect to see activity pick up soon.

Storm reports are already rolling in, especially in North Carolina and the Virginia Beach area where heat-fed storms have knocked out power to more than 4,000 customers this afternoon.

We'll see activity pick up through the evening commute and through the overnight along the East Coast, and especially in the Mid-Atlantic, where an enhanced risk has been issued.

Meteorologist Irene Sans has the latest update on the severe weather situation this holiday.

Multiple severe thunderstorm watches have been issued along the East Coast from New York to Coastal North Carolina, highlighting the risk for damaging winds, large hail, and possibly a tornado or two this afternoon and evening. Storm activity has already begun within the marginal risk zone from Oklahoma through the Southeast and Northeast.

As much as an enhanced risk, level three out of five, has been issued for the severe weather expected on Monday, the day before the Fourth of July holiday. Large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes are all expected and may hinder or even postpone any holiday celebrations taking place this afternoon and evening.

Read the latest severe weather update by Meteorologist Becca Parker.

Have at least three ways to receive a severe weather warning and have your Weather & Radar app alerts switched on to receive the latest updates.