Eastern PA July 4 Weekend Forecast: Storms, Heat Predicted

PENNSYLVANIA — Forecasters have released the first look at the July 4 holiday forecast, which could include a stormy and hot start to the weekend followed by sunshine on Independence Day.

According to AccuWeather, "abundant" moisture from the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico will contribute to the possibility of afternoon and evening thunderstorms. The storms, in the Saturday and Sunday forecast, are expected to be "fairly brief" in the Northeast, according to the latest AccuWeather forecast.

The Weather Channel also predicts a slight chance of thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday. Monday is predicted to be clear with temperatures in the mid-80s.

The long weekend will kick off Friday with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-90s.

For those traveling: Most areas from upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania to Maine will be free of rain most of the time from Friday night through Monday night. However, the same cold front has the potential to bring thunderstorms for one of the days or part of a day in this zone from Saturday to Sunday, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Joe Lundberg said.

Here is the Philadelphia-area forecast for the holiday weekend:

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Friday: Sunny, with a high near 94.

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

Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 am, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 87.

Travel over the Independence Day weekend is expected to be at "near-record" levels despite high gas prices.

The American Automobile Association said it expects a record 42 million people will travel by car during the holiday with the overall amount of travel (car, air and other means) at 47.9 million. The figure is just below 2019's record of 49 million.

With a widespread zone of thunderstorms expected over the busy Independence Day weekend when millions will be outdoors, the risk of lightning strikes and potential injuries and fatalities will increase substantially, forecasters said.

People who will be spending time outdoors over the holiday weekend are encouraged to monitor the weather for changing conditions and move indoors or seek shelter in a hard-top vehicle at the first rumble of thunder, experts warn.

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