Large Hail, Destructive Winds Possible In Eastern PA Thunderstorms Friday

EASTERN PA — Severe thunderstorms could bring destructive winds and large hail to eastern Pennsylvania on Friday, ahead of a looming heat wave.

The front is expected to move in after 2 p.m. with up to a quarter of an inch of rain falling during the afternoon, the National Weather Service said.

Some storms could become severe later in the afternoon into the evening, with another half inch to fall by night, officials said.

"Damaging wind gusts and some large hail will be the main threat with these severe storms." the National Weather Service said in their latest briefing on Thursday morning. "Areas north and west of the I-95 corridor will have the greatest risk. Some localized urban and poor drainage flooding will be possible as well."

Parts of western Chester County and northwestern Montgomery and Bucks counties are currently within the forecast's higher risk zone of greater impact.

Forecasters warn that travel delays at both roads and airports are likely.

"In cities such as Philadelphia, New York and Boston, any late afternoon and evening plans could be impacted by severe weather which could include hail and damaging wind gusts," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Joseph Bauer said in a statement.

Here's the full forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 85. North wind around 10 mph.

Saturday night
Mostly clear, with a low around 61.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

Sunday night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.

Monday night
Mostly clear, with a low around 70.

Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 95.

Tuesday night
Mostly clear, with a low around 72.

Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 96.