Severe Thunderstorm Watch Across Eastern Pennsylvania

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect throughout Eastern Pennsylvania, the National Weather Service has announced.

The watch is in place until 8 p.m. throughout the Philadelphia region, including in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia and York.

The storms, expected to develop ahead of a cold front, could come with potentially damaging winds, the NWS warns.

The severe thunderstorm watch comes as heat indices could be as high as 100 degrees this afternoon.

"If these storms maintain their intensity by the time they reach the I-95 corridor late this afternoon or this evening, they could contain locally damaging winds," according to the NWS watch.

A cold front mid-week will make way for another heat wave over the weekend, forecasters predict.

Here is the forecast:

This Afternoon: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and frequent lightning. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Southwest wind 10 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 11pm. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and frequent lightning. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Northwest wind around 8 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. North wind around 6 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.

Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 30%.