Showers and thunderstorms have developed across parts of the Philadelphia region by early Thursday afternoon, with unsettled weather expected to continue into the evening. Temperatures are near the day’s forecast high of 63 degrees, before colder air moves in tonight and Friday. The National Weather Service’s latest Philadelphia-area discussion says the storm is strengthening over the region and will move offshore.
Rain Arrives By Early Afternoon
Showers and thunderstorms developed across the region by early Thursday afternoon and are expected to continue into the evening. The day’s high is near 63 degrees, with winds shifting from the southeast or east toward the west and northwest by evening. The latest regional estimate puts Philadelphia’s rainfall below half an inch, though locally heavier amounts are possible. The National Weather Service’s updated discussion says the heaviest precipitation may vary with the storm’s track.
The National Weather Service says thunderstorms have developed across the region, and a Tornado Watch has been issued. The Storm Prediction Center now identifies a slight risk for severe storms over a small part of eastern Pennsylvania and central New Jersey, with isolated severe hail, a tornado or two, and damaging winds possible this afternoon. Check current alerts and be ready to act if a warning is issued. The Mount Holly office’s latest update notes the watch, while the Storm Prediction Center outlook describes the heightened risk.
Stormy Friday Brings A Sharp Temperature Drop
Showers remain likely Thursday night as temperatures fall to around 42 degrees. Friday will stay rainy and cloudy, with a high near 47 and northwest winds of 10 to 15 mph that could make it feel colder.
Rainfall Friday should generally remain light, though colder air will spread across the region. The highest elevations north and west of Philadelphia could see a few wet snowflakes, but no accumulation is expected in the city.
The rain-to-snow line is expected to stay well north and west of Philadelphia. The National Weather Service says any accumulating snow should be confined mainly to the higher elevations of the southern Poconos, where totals are expected to remain under an inch; elevated parts of the Lehigh Valley and northwestern New Jersey could see a few wet flakes without accumulation. The Mount Holly forecast discussion says rain remains the expected precipitation type elsewhere.
Weekend Turns Breezy And Chilly
Friday night brings a 40% chance of rain, with less than a tenth of an inch expected and a low near 36 degrees. Saturday will be partly sunny, with a high near 48, while northwest winds could gust near 30 mph and make it feel colder. The National Weather Service expects the strongest weekend winds Saturday.
Sunday looks brighter and calmer, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 51. The weekend will still run colder than normal, with overnight lows dropping into the 20s to low 30s and a possible first freeze for some outlying areas.
A separate coastal concern is unfolding along the New Jersey shore: the National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for Ocean County through 2 p.m. Thursday.
Sunshine Returns Next Week
Philadelphia's forecast improves Monday through Wednesday, with sunny or mostly sunny skies and highs near 52 Monday, 53 Tuesday and 58 Wednesday. Nights will remain crisp, with lows around 33 to 36 degrees.
