Thunderstorms, Tornadoes Possible Thursday In Philly Area

PHILADLEPHIA, PA — Some powerful stormy weather is headed towards southeastern Pennsylvania on Thursday, with tornado-like wind gusts, thunderstorms, and rain predicted.

Weaker showers and thunderstorms could occur as early as the late morning. A couple of tornadoes and flash flooding are also possible, according to forecasters.

Scattered severe storms are expected throughout the area starting at about 4 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. The I-95 corridor should see storms pick up by 6 p.m., while areas to the west are likely to see intensification by 8 p.m.

Wind gusts could reach 60 miles per hour.

"Damaging winds will be an ongoing threat, but it should also be mentioned rainfall could be quite heavy and this could result in at least urban, small stream, and poor drainage flooding," the National Weather Service said in a forecast discussion.

Thursday should see high temperatures around 70 degrees, with cooler temperatures dipping into the low 50s during the weekend.

Thursday

A chance of showers after 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 70. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday night

Showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 10pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 52. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday
A chance of showers, mainly before 7am. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday night

A slight chance of showers before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 36. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 56. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday night

A chance of showers after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Sunday

A chance of showers before 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday night

Mostly clear, with a low around 39.