A powerful storm front with potentially damaging wind gusts, heavy downpours, thunderstorms, and frequent lightning will hit the greater Philadelphia area Wednesday, forecasters said.
The front will arrive at around 2 p.m. and the severe impacts could continue until around 10 p.m.
"Confidence is increasing in some severe thunderstorms moving through later today," the National Weather Service's Mt. Holly, New Jersey branch shared. "The main threat is damaging wind gusts, with storms beginning to develop and move in after 2 p.m."
Officials also urged residents to be aware of incoming alerts notifying them of imminent impacts.
"Make sure you have ways to receive any warnings," the Weather Service added. "And when thunder roars, go indoors."
Forecasters placed all of suburban Philadelphia in its "slight risk" zone, indicating the increased confidence in severe storms and the belief that the storms will be significant.
It's part of a massive front stretching from the northeast down to Tennessee.
While the thunder, rain, and lightning could be severe, other impacts are the chief concern.
"The primary threats in this 1,000-mile-long zone will be damaging wind gusts and hail," Accuweather shared. "Downpours may also trigger localized flash flooding, but the rainfall could also provide some drought relief."
Winds could be strong enough to bring down trees and power lines, cause power outages, and damage property.
The storms will provide some relief to the heat, though severe weather will persist in the Philadelphia area before the storms hit Wednesday. Highs will remain in the mid-90s.
Rain will continue intermittently on Thursday, with a chance of further showers Friday through next Tuesday, making for a potentially wet Memorial Day weekend.
Here's the full forecast for the coming week in the greater Philadelphia area, according to the National Weather Service:
Wednesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 94. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 5 a.m., then a chance of showers. Low around 58. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday
Showers, mainly before 1 p.m. High near 67. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday
Showers likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Showers. Low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Saturday
Showers. High near 60. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.
Saturday Night
Showers. Low around 51. Chance of precipitation is 80p percent.
Sunday
Showers, mainly before 8 a.m. High near 65. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.
Sunday Night
A chance of showers after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
Monday
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Monday Night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Tuesday
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
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