Thunderstorms, Hail Then 'Rapid Freeze-Up' In PA Forecast

PENNSYLVANIA - Spring-like temperatures are expected to plummet by as much as 35 degrees overnight during a mid-week winter storm that may usher in icy driving conditions and even small amounts of snow in parts of the Keystone State, forecasters said.

The rain that arrived to Pennsylvania Tuesday is expected to continue throughout Wednesday; a chance of isolated thunderstorms and hail is also possible, according to the National Weather Service. Rainfall amounts will range from about a half to one inch near and southeast of I-95 to an inch to an inch and a half northwest of I-95.

While widespread flooding isn’t expected, some urban or poor drainage flooding will be possible.

Temperatures will range from 55 to 65 degrees in the daytime and plummet into the 30s overnight, paving the way for possible snow in northwest New Jersey and the Lehigh Valley.

Strongest wind gusts in the evening could reach as high as 40 to 50 mph, resulting in some tree damage and isolated power outages, the National Weather Service Mount Holly station in a Wednesday morning X post. As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, most of the state (including the southeast) is under a wind advisory until 4 a.m. Thursday.

“Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle,” the National Weather Service said. “Secure outdoor objects.”

The sudden freeze could make for treacherous traveling conditions Thursday morning, especially on overpasses and bridges, AccuWeather said.

“From late Wednesday to Wednesday night, motorists and pedestrians from Kentucky to upstate New York should closely monitor temperatures and be on the lookout for icy patches,” AccuWeather noted. “Surfaces that appear wet may instead be icy, where the temperature has dropped to near or below the freezing mark.”

Here’s the latest forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3 p.m. High near 62. Breezy, with a south wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a slight chance of showers between midnight and 1am. Low around 29. Windy, with a southwest wind 20 to 30 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 43. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night: A chance of rain, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.