PHILADELPHIA – A round of severe storms brought heavy rain and the risk of flash flooding to the area Thursday afternoon.
Philadelphia and areas along the I-95 corridor were hit hardest by the system forecasters predicted would bring ‘potentially significant flash flooding.
The city and surrounding suburbs remain under a Flash Flood Warning until 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Flash Flood Warning
The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for Philadelphia and the surrounding counties through at least 6:30 p.m. Several counties in New Jersey are under a Flash Flood Warning through 8 p.m.
RELATED: Flash flood warnings and watches: What do they mean?
The rest of the area is under a Flash Flood Watch through 6 a.m. Friday.
Tornado Warnings expire
The first round of storms that moved through the area early Thursday afternoon triggered brief Tornado Warnings for Camden, Gloucester, and Salem counties. The warnings have since been lifted.
Forecasters are bracing for strong storms that will bring a much-needed break from the oppressive heat that’s gripped the region over the last several days.
Temperatures in the wake of the storms on Friday will only reach the mid-70s ahead of a sunny and seasonable weekend in Philadelphia and surrounding areas.
New Jersey declares State of Emergency
Acting New Jersey Gov. Tahesha Way declared a preemptive State of Emergency for “flash flooding, severe thunderstorms, intense rainfall, and damaging wind gusts.”
The State of Emergency will go into effect 2 p.m. and allow resources to be deployed to all 21 counties throughout the duration of the storm.
“I urge all New Jerseyans to remain alert, follow all safety protocols, and monitor the proper channels for the duration of these storms,” Acting Gov. Way said.
Sever Thunderstorm Watch
The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch that spans the Philadelphia area, including parts of New Jersey and Delaware. The watch will remain in effect through 8p.m. Thursday.
Forecasters are warning of possible quarter-sized hail and strong wind gusts that could reach 66 MPH with periods of thunder and lightning.
What’s next:
Following Thursday’s storms, expect a much cooler Friday followed by a sunny and seasonable weekend.
Highs on Friday will only reach the mid-70s, before leaping up to more seasonable temps in the 80s over the weekend.
What you can do:
Stay up-to-date on the latest forecasts from the FOX 29 Weather Authority by downloading the free FOX LOCAL app.
Source link
