Cold Front Could Be Followed By Severe Thunderstorms In Philly Area

PHILADELPHIA, PA — A series of cold fronts could bring sharp temperature shifts and some of the coldest weather of the season thus far to the greater Philadelphia area, according to forecasters. And while the brisk autumnal air will be complemented by clear skies for days, there will also be a chance for a significant thunderstorm and heavy rain later week.

The shift in weather comes in the wake of the coldest nights of the fall on Saturday and Sunday, which saw temperatures drop to the upper 30s and low 40s in much of the Philadelphia suburbs.

From those lows, highs in the upper 60s and lower 70s are expected on sunny afternoons Monday through Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.

"Temperature swings across the Ohio Valley and Northeast are likely to be drastic," AccuWeather predicts. "With high temperatures falling as much as 15 degrees in just a couple days."

Following the temperature shifts, a front bearing thunderstorms and rain could hit the region Thursday, forecasters said. There's an 80 percent chance of rain, with "severe" thunderstorms possible between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., forecasters said.

"The clash of milder air ahead of the front and the cold air following behind will be a dramatic change that can make the atmosphere more unstable, thus threatening severe weather," AccuWeather added.

That rainfall could be significant, with up to 2 to 3 inches falling. There's a potential flash flooding risk in some areas as well.

Storms are forecasted to be limited to Thursday and Thursday night, with inclement weather tapering off before Friday morning.

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

Monday

Sunny, with a high near 67. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Monday night

Clear, with a low around 46. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 72. West wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday night

Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Wednesday night

A slight chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 2pm. High near 71. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Thursday night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Low around 53. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 64.

Friday night

Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 64.

Saturday night

Mostly clear, with a low around 48.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.