Severe Thunderstorms, Heat Coming To Philly Region: Timeline

PHILADELPHIA, PA — A powerful storm front wreaking havoc in the midwest could sweep along the eastern seaboard and hit the greater Philadelphia area on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

The intensity of the storm is largely unknown, as the storm strength is "contingent on the storms becoming well organized, which is not a certainty," the National Weather Service said in a Wednesday forecast discussion.

The "unseasonably warm" weather will remain in the state Thursday, with high temperatures between upper 70s and low 80s in most locations, the National Weather Service said.

There will be rain, which could be intense at times should the thunderstorms hit full blast. Winds are predicted to get up to 15 miles per hour during the storm. There's a possibility these could be more damaging, however, as the Weather Channel notes this part of the storm could contain "some isolated damaging wind gusts."

Thunderstorm activity should weaken by Thursday night with the loss of daytime heating, forecasters added. Showers and clouds may linger into the daytime hours before moving offshore Friday morning.

Here's the full forecast:

Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 70. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Saturday

A chance of showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night

A chance of showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 57.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 40.