Thunderstorms Threaten July 4th Celebrations In Eastern PA

EASTERN PA — Thunderstorms and rain could threaten fireworks and other celebrations around the greater Philadelphia region on 4th of July and throughout the long weekend, according to forecasters.

While Tuesday and Wednesday look to be clear and sunny, storms will roll in after 2 p.m. on 4th of July, the National Weather Service said.

The chance of precipitation will range from 40 to percent through the evening, with thunder possible. There will be a break in the storms before they return again on Friday after 2 p.m., forecasters said.

Rain and thunder will only grow more likely as the weekend continues, rising to a 60 percent by Saturday and continuing through Saturday night before finally clearing on Sunday morning.

"After beginning July in the lower to middle 80s, the projected high in Philadelphia on July 4 is 90 F. Coupled with the humidity, (the heat index) is expected to approach 95 degrees," AccuWeather said. "The combination of the heat and humidity will lead to a risk of an afternoon thunderstorm in not only Philadelphia but much of the mid-Atlantic."

Rain may be intermittent, but could also be torrential during thunderstorms, which will be mostly likely during the afternoons and evenings each day.

Here's the full forecast:

Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 86. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

4th of July
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

4th of July Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.