PA Weather: 60-MPH Wind Gusts, Hail Expected With Storm Front

PENNSYLVANIA —Wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour and hail are possible in Pennsylvania on Thursday as a line of powerful storms moves in from the Midwest.

Southeastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, should expect thunderstorms Thursday but the National Weather Service does not currently predict severe storms for that area.

Those in the Pittsburgh area can expect rain Thursday afternoon, but not severe storms according to weather forecasters.

Temperatures will climb Thursday and a cold front will lift warm, moist air over the region. "Some ongoing thunderstorms will regain intensity," said AccuWeather forecasters in their latest update.

"Just enough warm air and moisture will be present ahead of an advancing cold front to trigger heavy, gusty and locally severe thunderstorms," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alyssa Smithmyer said. "The main threats from the storms on Thursday will be from wind and hail."

The biggest threat of severe storms will be 4 and 8 p.m. Thursday, said National Weather Service forecasters. Damaging wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour and quarter-sized hail are possible with this system, and the tornado threat "remains very low" as of the NWS's Thursday morning update.

"From Philadelphia and points northward, there will be some showers/storms around this afternoon but severe weather is less likely here," added the NWS.

The front may "take its time" clearing the area into the evening, forecasters added.

Here's a look at Thursday's forecast around the state:

Southeast PA

Today
A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 4pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. High near 83. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a slight chance of showers between 11pm and 1am. Low around 49. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Northwest wind around 10 mph.

Southwest PA

Today
A chance of showers, mainly before 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 56. West wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. West wind 6 to 8 mph.

Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph.