Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued Across Eastern PA

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA — More than two dozen Eastern Pennsylvania counties are under a severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m. Wednesday night. The entire Philadelphia region is included in the watch area, including Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. The Lehigh Valley, including Northampton, Lehigh, and Berks counties, is also included in the watch area.

According to forecasters with the National Weather Service, "some of the storms could produce gusty winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning."

The chance of storms is 80 percent. Up to an inch of rain is possible.

The storms come as the region is dealing with an oppressive heatwave that could bring highs of up to 110 with the heat index factored in.

Here is the forecast:

This Afternoon: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 102. Southwest wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 8pm and 9pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 9pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning. Areas of fog after 2am. Low around 74. Southwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: Widespread haze. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 78.