Hail, Damaging Winds Possible In Eastern PA; Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued

PENNSYLVANIA — Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, hail, and heavy rain could impact southeastern Pennsylvania on Tuesday afternoon and into the evening, said forecasters.

The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings for eastern Berks County, southeastern Lehigh County, northwestern Montgomery County, northwestern Bucks County, and southeastern Northampton County until 5:45 p.m. Tuesday.

The National Weather Service has also issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m. for counties in the Philadelphia metro area. Frequent lightning, scattered gusts of wind up to 70 miles per hour, and isolated hail up to the size of a ping-pong ball are all possible, as well as heavy rain, said forecasters.

Strong storms are expected to impact the state Tuesday afternoon and into the evening, according to the National Weather Service and AccuWeather.com. Forecasters said that the main concern is damaging winds and large hail, but localized flash flooding could also be possible.

Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties are under a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m., said the National Weather Service.

"Precipitable water values in those areas should remain around or slightly above 2 inches, so locally heavy rain is possible," added the National Weather Service.

Much of the Philadelphia region is at a “slight” risk for severe thunderstorms Tuesday, meaning that more intense storms may form in isolated areas.

This means there is a larger chance for severe storms, and even a risk for isolated tornadoes, said AccuWeather forecasters.

AccuWeather added that travelers who are looking to get to the Jersey Shore or any nearby beaches “are advised to closely monitor the progression of the storms on Tuesday, given that the intense downpours could induce slowdowns and periods of decreased visibility.”

Forecasters said Wednesday should be a calmer day across a large portion of the Eastern United States, as the cold front clears the Northeast coast later Tuesday night.

Here is a look at the forecast today in southeastern Pennsylvania, from the National Weather Service:

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a slight chance of showers between 9pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.