Severe Thunderstorm Watches Issued In PA: Damaging Winds, Heavy Rain Possible

PENNSYLVANIA — Severe thunderstorm watches have been issued in 38 eastern Pennsylvania counties early Thursday afternoon, as storms carrying potentially-damaging winds and heavy downpours move into the region.

"The bulk of the shower and thunderstorm activity is still on track to begin around 2 to 4 p.m., with the most active period from 5 to 9 p.m. or so," said forecasters with the National Weather Service.

The following counties are under a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m.

• Adams
• Berks
• Bradford
• Bucks
• Carbon
• Centre
• Chester
• Clinton
• Columbia
• Cumberland
• Dauphin
• Franklin
• Fulton
• Huntingdon
• Juniata
• Lackawanna
• Lancaster
• Lebanon
• Lehigh
• Luzerne
• Lycoming
• Mifflin
• Monroe
• Montgomery
• Montour
• Northampton
• Northumberland
• Perry
• PhiladelphiaPike
• Schuylkill
• Snyder
• Sullivan
• Susquehanna
• Tioga
• Union
• Wayne
• Wyoming
• York

The storms could bring heavy rain, and damaging gusts of wind of up to 60 miles per hour Thursday afternoon and evening. The chance of storms will return Friday afternoon, NWS forecasters added.

“Some storms each day could become severe with locally damaging wind gusts the main threat,” forecasters said in an update Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, hot temperatures return once again to the Keystone State. Maximum heat index values could again eclipse 100 degrees in Philadelphia. Forecasters with the National Weather Service predict the heat to linger Thursday, and even possibly into Friday.

"The axis of unseasonably hot air will continue to extend up the East Coast," the National Weather Service said. "As a result, we are anticipating widespread maximum temperatures in the lower to middle 90s for today."

While the hot/humid conditions continue today & Friday, we now introduce the chance for some showers & t-storms this PM & Friday PM. Some storms could become severe with locally damaging wind gusts. Be weather aware! Local forecasts https://t.co/ka2HFv1KuB #pawx #njwx #dewx #mdwx pic.twitter.com/JZSCQv9yho
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) September 7, 2023

A heat advisory remains in place for the following counties, until 8 p.m. Thursday evening:

• Delaware
• Eastern Chester
• Eastern Montgomery
• Lower Bucks
• Philadelphia

Looking ahead, expect "Another hot and humid day Friday along with the potential for some severe thunderstorms, then a little cooler Saturday; however, still humid with some showers and thunderstorms."

Here's a look at the forecast through Friday for southeastern Pennsylvania, from the National Weather Service:

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2am. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.