Severe storms threaten 70 million people in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States

5 things: warning for severe storms in the US 2:03

(CNN) -- 

After producing damaging tornadoes in several states, a system of volatile storms continues to move across the country.

For more than a week, part of the United States was under the threat of severe storms.

And this Friday, a new system threatens 70 million people across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.

A level 3 out of 5 risk of severe storms extends from eastern Alabama to the Carolinas and southern Virginia.

Charlotte, Atlanta, Raleigh and Virginia Beach are at increased risk.

Surrounding areas including New Orleans, Birmingham and Tallahassee are also at risk this Friday.

These cities have a slight risk (level 2 of 5) of severe storms.

The cities of Atlanta in Georgia, Charlotte and Raleigh in North Carolina, and Virginia Beach and Norfolk in Virginia have a higher risk of severe storms, level 3 of 5.

• More than 40 million people are under threat of severe storms this weekend

This level of risk means that numerous severe storms are possible in that region.

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) said that the main threat is expected between the end of the morning and the afternoon of this Friday.

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Damaging wind gusts are expected to be the most frequent hazard in the morning hours, increasing the chance of tornadoes in some afternoon storms.

"Today's storms are going to appear random," said CNN Meteorologist Chad Myers.

"With so much instability in the atmosphere, storms will develop almost out of nowhere. Take it literally...blue skies mean sunshine...sun means warmer air...and warmer air rises to create storms."

So, just because the sun is out, don't let your guard down if Friday finds you in these risk areas.

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Heavy rains of almost 80 millimeters will create a threat of flooding in the Mid-Atlantic.

"Rain totals of up to 3 inches are possible and could create scattered flooding issues in these areas," the Weather Prediction Center said.

Additionally, there are flood watches for central Pennsylvania, eastern Maryland and northern Virginia, affecting Baltimore and Washington along with other cities.

This Saturday, the storm system will slowly move away from the East Coast.

"This will lead to a very gloomy weather pattern that will develop and persist across parts of the Northeast and into the Mid-Atlantic through the weekend," the Weather Prediction Center said.

"Much of the East Coast will be under the influence of cloudy skies, northeasterly wind gusts and occasional showers with high temperatures only reaching 10 degrees Celsius."

This is a stark contrast to the 37 degree Celsius temperatures forecast across Texas and the southern plains this weekend.

United States storms