Severe thunderstorms are possible Friday in the greater Philadelphia region as a drastic temperature spike and plummet loom, according to forecasters.
Temperatures will rise to 80 degrees on Friday before a storm front moves in during the day, with up to a quarter inch of rain falling.
Thunderstorms are most likely in the afternoon and evening hours, continuing into the early morning hours of Saturday, forecasters said.
Most of eastern and central Pennsylvania are within the National Weather Service's level two category, indicating a "slight risk" of severe impacts from this storm.
"The cold air outbreak transition will be a bumpy one in terms of showers and thunderstorms," Accuweather notes. "Some of the storms can even be severe locally in the mid-Atlantic on Friday afternoon and evening."
Wind gusts of up to 55 to 65 miles per hour are possible in some of the thunderstorms.
"Wind gusts will average 25-40 mph, which is not quite as strong as what can sometimes occur with the most powerful storms in the autumn, winter and spring," Accuweather's Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said. "However, winds will be strong enough to send leaves, as well as unsecured trash cans, recycling bins and Halloween decorations flying through neighborhoods."
Temperatures will sink to 50 on Friday night, will not get higher than the mid-50s on Saturday, and will fall to the upper 30s by Sunday night. That could mark the coldest day in months for some areas.
The temperature drop will bring the low to up to 5 to 15 degrees below the seasonal average around the region.
Here's the full forecast for the coming week:
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night
A slight chance of showers before 10 p.m., then showers likely after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday
A chance of showers before 8 a.m. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Showers and thunderstorms. Low around 50. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday
A chance of showers before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 39.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 57.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 65.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Across Pennsylvania Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.