Strong Storms Headed To Eastern PA Thursday

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA — Some bad weather is on the way for Thursday, including torrential rain, thunderstorms, and high winds.

The National Weather Service has issued several alerts for Eastern Pennsylvania, including a hazardous weather outlook, a flood watch, and a wind advisory.

The flood watch, which began at 2 p.m., goes through Friday afternoon.

According to forecasters, heavy rain is expected Thursday afternoon and evening. Forecasters with The Weather Channel are predicting the worst of the storm will begin to come through the area in the early evening, around 5 p.m. Rain will be heavy at times and continue past midnight.

Rain will decrease in intensity by Friday morning, "but impacts from the earlier heavier rainfall may linger into the day on Friday," the National Weather Service said.

Between 1.5 to 3 inches of rain is expected during the storm. Flooding of low-lying and poor drainage areas is possible. Flooding of urban areas and small streams is also possible.

It will also be windy, with gusts up to 50 mph. "Strong wind gusts may bring down trees and utility lines and scattered power outages are possible," the National Weather Service said. The wind advisory goes until 8 p.m. Thursday.

Here is a look at estimated precipitation:

Here is the forecast:

This Afternoon: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 p.m. High near 66. Breezy, with a southeast wind around 25 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 a.m., then showers likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 55. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: A chance of showers, mainly before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71