PA Weather: Thunderstorms, Hail, Flooding Possible Saturday

PENNSYLVANIA - Weekend storms are set to cool down Pennsylvania after an unseasonably hot week, forecasters said, with thunderstorms, localized flooding, hail and strong winds all possible in some areas of the state.

As of 3 p.m., the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Lehigh and Northampton counties, though scattered showers are expected to continue around the state through Sunday afternoon. The flash flood warning includes Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 56 and 69, as well as Northeast Extension between mile markers 46 and 53.

In Lehigh and Northampton counties, over 2 to 2.5 inches of rain has already fallen. Emergency management personnel also reported a Route 309 closure at Huckleberry Drive in Upper Saucon Township due to flash flooding.

“Turn around...don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles,” the weather service said.

Chester County is under a localized flooding warning through 5:15 p.m., with minor flooding in low-lying and poor draining areas expected.

A special weather statement was also issued for 10 counties, with localized flooding, hail and strong winds all possible Saturday afternoon.

The affected counties under the special weather statement are:

• Carbon
• Monroe
• Berks
• Lehigh
• Northampton
• Delaware
• Philadelphia
• Chester
• Montgomery
• Bucks

“Showers and thunderstorms have started to develop across the area and will continue through this afternoon before diminishing early this evening,” the agency said. “Some of these storms could produce locally strong winds, pea to nickel size hail, and localized flooding.”

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

Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 69. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of showers. Patchy fog after 1 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday: A slight chance of showers between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Patchy fog before 10 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 9 p.m. Low around 50. Southeast wind 13 to 16 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.