3 Days Of Storms: Hurricane Beryl Remnants Approach Philly Area

EASTERN PA — The remnants of Hurricane Beryl remain on track multiple rounds of storms to the greater Philadelphia area over the next several days, the National Weather Service said. The forecast has shifted slightly and heavy rain, potentially destructive winds, and at least some thunderstorms are likely in the five county suburban region.

The storms will not dissipate the dangerous heat immediately, as the heat index will hit 106 in the Philadelphia area Wednesday. An excessive heat warning covers the entire region and officials urge residents to use caution and to check on neighbors and sensitive groups, like the elderly.

The first round of storms will arrive in the region in the late morning or early afternoon hours. Heavy rainfall is possible, and the greatest risk for storms is north and west of I-95. This will be the more severe round, though the strongest storms are smaller in size and will not hit as broad of an area.

A second line of thunderstorms will approach Wednesday night. This is a less severe front, though it is more widespread and more likely to hit a wider stretch of the region, forecasters said.

Heavy rain could lead to flooding, though the National Weather Service says the "primary threat is straightline damaging wind gusts."

Scattered flash flooding is considered a "slight" risk Thursday in Philadelphia and the eastern parts of Delaware, Montgomery, and Bucks counties, which means there is up to a 16 percent chance, according to forecasters.

The second round of storms will begin late Thursday night and early Friday and continue until early Saturday.

"The chance for storms in this period is up to 80 percent," the National Weather Service said. "The primary hazard with this period is also heavy rain leading to flashflooding. Risk for heavy rain exists across most of the region in this period with the highest risk in the Philadelphia metro and areas south and east."

Storms will fully clear out by early Saturday.

Here's the full forecast:

Wednesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 106. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Wednesday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 a.m, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 74.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 95.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 75.