Severe Thunderstorm Watch Called In Eastern PA

UPDATE: A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued across the Philadelphia region, including in the following counties: Bucks; Chester; Delaware; Lehigh; Montgomery; Northampton; Philadelphia; and York.

This means strong storms with heavy winds are possible. The watch is in place through 10 p.m.

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Brace yourselves: The worst weather of the week is expected to hit Eastern Pennsylvania on Friday. The storms could produce potentially damaging winds and even hail, forecasters say.

A hazardous weather outlook has been issued across the Philadelphia region for thunderstorms that are expected to hit mainly late Friday afternoon and night. The National Weather Service says the storms are expected to result in heavy rain that could produce poor drainage flooding and localized flash flooding.

The storms will impact a wide swath of the area. AccuWeather warns the Friday evening rush hour could be slower than normal for people commuting home or heading to a weekend vacation destination across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and even up north in New York and Vermont.

In the Philadelphia area, expect a chance of scattered thunderstorms in the late afternoon. Then, later in the night around 8 p.m., a stronger system will move in, according to The Weather Channel's forecast.

The storms will progress from the central Appalachian to parts of West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and western New England, according to AccuWeather.

The storms will likely come with strong winds, which could topple trees due to the ground's saturated state.

Since the ground is saturated and limbs are filled with moisture, even a moderate gust of wind can bring them down in certain conditons, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said in a news release.

While the storm system will move along rather quickly, it is likely to add insult to injury in areas still dealing with high water, road closures and uprooted trees from the deluge earlier in the week, according to AccuWeather.

RELATED: Pennsylvania Flooding Closes Hersheypark, Prompts Water Rescues

The good news is that while there is a slight chance of more showers on Saturday, the day will be primarily sunny. (Full forecast below)

Here is the forecast:

Today: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then a slight chance of showers between 8am and 2pm. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. West wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. North wind 3 to 5 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 86.

Monday Night: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

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