PA Weather: Severe Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain, Fierce Winds In Forecast

PENNSYLVANIA — A swath of stormy weather is expected Friday before a dry weekend in the Keystone State, forecasters said, with severe thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, fierce winds and flash flooding all in the cards.

While showers are set to begin Friday morning, the greatest risk of severe storms isn’t expected until 5 to 9 p.m., the National Weather Service said. Friday will start off humid with temperatures in the low 80s, paving way for patchy fog and temperatures in the mid-60s at night.

The most intense impacts of the storms are slated to be felt northwest of I-95. Isolated severe storms and flash flooding will be possible north of I-95, the weather service said, and no severe thunderstorms are expected south of I-95.

On the whole, the region faces the highest severe weather risk in weeks, AccuWeather reported, with projected hail and wind gusts strong enough to tumble trees and power lines.

⛈️ There is a risk for thunderstorms later today becoming strong to severe. These may produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall leading to localized flash flooding. The greatest risk for severe storms and heavy rainfall is northwest of the I-95 Corridor. #PAwx #NJwx #MDwx #DEwx pic.twitter.com/XZMJhByjDB
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) August 4, 2023

"Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds 60 mph or greater and large hail exceeding 1 inch in diameter are possible in a few spots Friday afternoon or early evening," the National Weather Service said.

The silver lining: a “dry, comfortable” weekend awaits, AccuWeather said, with temperatures and humidity levels reminiscent of early September.

Here’s the latest forecast around Pennsylvania, per the National Weather Service:

Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 5 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.