PA Weather Latest: High Winds, Thunderstorms Threaten Outages, Floods

PENNSYLVANIA - Ferocious winds, thunderstorms and rain are slated to hit Pennsylvania on Wednesday, with wind gusts up to 50 mph, power outages and localized flooding possible, forecasters said.

Light showers are set to begin Wednesday morning alongside gusty southeasterly winds, the National Weather Service said. However, the real threat is set to begin after noon, when a “narrow line” of heavy rain and thunderstorms could impact the state with south winds from 15 to 25 mph and up to 50 mph gusts, the agency said.

As of Wednesday morning, there’s a wind advisory in effect for 14 PA counties from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. The affected counties are:

• Tioga
• Delaware
• Sullivan
• Bradford
• Susquehanna
• Wyoming
• Lackawanna
• Luzerne
• Pike
• Wayne
• Cambria
• Blair
• Somerset
• Lycoming

“Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result,” the agency said. “Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high-profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.”

Forecasters expect around 0.25 inches to an inch of rain, but locally higher amounts remain possible. Flooding risk remains relatively low because of recent rainfall deficits and the speed at which the system will move through the region, per the National Weather Service, but localized flooding could still occur.

Any lingering scattered showers should subside by 9 p.m., the service added.

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

Wednesday: Showers, mainly before 2 p.m. Temperature rising to near 49 by noon, then falling to around 36 during the remainder of the day. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Breezy, with a west wind 17 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. Breezy, with a west wind 13 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23. West wind 6 to 9 mph becoming south after midnight.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 42. South wind 6 to 9 mph.

Friday Night: A chance of showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.