Severe Storms, Tornado Risk, Heat All In Latest Eastern PA Forecast

EASTERN PA — Severe heat will lead to severe thunderstorms in the greater Philadelphia region this week, with the potential for destructive straight line winds and tornadoes, according to forecasters.

The storm will arrive at around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, with the highest likelihood for impacts through the afternoon until 8 p.m. More scattered thunderstorms are forecasted for the evening and into the overnight hours, and the front will mostly move out of the region by 8 a.m. Thursday.

"Localized flooding along with a couple tornadoes are possible," the National Weather Service said. "The greatest threat is damaging straight line winds."

See related: What To Do When You Get Tornado Watch, Warning Alerts In PA

Despite the strong storm front, the temperatures will remain high Wednesday, with the heat index forecasted at 100 for Philadelphia.

The heat will finally break on Thursday, with high temperatures back down to around 88 degrees, forecasters said. While the remainder of the week and weekend are also relatively mild, the long range forecast for early July calls for more heat, little rain, and a high likelihood of drought-like conditions, the National Weather Service said.

Here's the full forecast:

Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 91. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 100. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 67.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 87.

Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Saturday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Saturday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Sunday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Sunday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Monday
Sunny, with a high near 84.