Will Hurricane Arthur Ruin Independence Day?

AccuWeather says it'll be a close call.

Just as we published this story about Tropical Storm Arthur ruining July 4th plans, Reuters comes out with new information:

Tropical Storm Arthur was expected to reach hurricane strength by Thursday, dousing some July Fourth holiday plans on the U.S. East Coast as officials closed beaches and tourist sites and delayed fireworks shows in anticipation of heavy rain and fierce winds.

[Original] AccuWeather says Tropical Storm Arthur could, um, dampen July 4 parties in Philadelphia, but there’s still time for the storm to turn away and leave us in our current state of heat-induced rage instead.

“If the tropical system takes a northeastward turn late in the week, as we suspect, rain and thunderstorms will begin to shift eastward and out to sea Friday afternoon and evening so that the weather improves for fireworks Friday night from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia and New York City,” AccuWeather Long-Range Expert Paul Pastelok said.

Slate takes a look at the odds of having July 4 ruined by rain: The big coastal cities of Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City just outside the forecast cone, but are likely to receive occasional rain showers on the Fourth. Washington has a better chance than New York City of skies clearing out before sunset and fireworks time.”

So maybe wait on Friday before firing up the barbecue, huh?