Major Storm Approaches Eastern PA With Wind Gusts, Rain: Latest Forecast

EASTERN PA — Powerful wind gusts remain the most likely impact from the latest storm front moving toward the greater Philadelphia region, forecasters said, as the timing for the arrival of inclement weather has slightly changed.

While some rain and wind could hit late Wednesday night and overnight into Thursday morning, the strongest parts of the storm are on track to reach the region by Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service.

Wind gusts up to 35 miles an hour are predicted Thursday night, and a half an inch of rain could fall in that time, officials said.

Travel throughout the eastern seaboard could be impacted by the storm.

"This will be a rainstorm for the I-95 corridor Thursday night into early Friday with gusty winds," AccuWeather said. "The combination of rain and wind can lead to many travel problems on the roads and delays at airports."

Elsewhere, much of western Pennsylvania and huge swaths of the midwest and northeast could receive significant snowfall due to the same front, forecasters said.

Here's the full forecast for the remainder of the week, according to the National Weather Service:

Wednesday

Increasing clouds, with a high near 45. East wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday night

A chance of rain, mainly after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday

A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 56. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday night

Rain. Low around 51. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday

A slight chance of showers before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.