NEXT Weather: Severe storms likely in Philadelphia Monday evening
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch effective until 11:00 p.m. this evening for the following areas:
Delaware:
Kent County, New Castle County, and Sussex County
New Jersey:
Mercer County, Hunterdon County, Warren County, Atllantic County, Burlingotn County, Camden County, Cape May County, Cumberland County, Gloucester County, and Salem County
Pennsylvania:
Berks County, Lehigh County, Northampton County, Carbon County, Monroe Country, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia
Preparation and impacts to you:
- Have a severe weather plan in place for Monday evening.
- Make sure any children at home alone know what to do.
- Keep pets indoors.
- Stay indoors and away from windows if there are storms in your neighborhood.
- If a Tornado Warning is issued head to the basement or lowest level of your home or building.
- Place as many walls between you and the outside of your home.
- Make sure to wear shoes in case you head outside after the storms and encounter any damage.
- Keep your cell phones charged and alerts on.
- Use care when heading outdoors immediately after any storms. There may be downed power lines and unstable trees.
- Air travel delays are likely Monday evening and night.
- Later evening commutes may be slow with rain and localized flooding.
- Sporting events may be delayed or cancelled.
Watch vs. warning:
Watch: Conditions are possible for that specific weather event to happen
Warning: Specific weather event is happening or will happen soon.
Monday evening
We will be under an Enhanced Risk for severe storms (level 3 of 5).
The last time we were at this level there were confirmed tornadoes and wind damage.
This severe weather threat includes a risk of tornadoes but our biggest threat will be damaging winds over 60 mph.
Downpours with localized flooding, hail larger than 1 inch and intense lightning will also accompany any storms.
Storms will be possible through late at night.
NEXT Weather Alert issued for Monday
The main severe threat is after 5 p.m. when the atmosphere will be most unstable and any storms may develop rotation.
Several disturbances will cross our area on throughout Monday providing enough instability. By evening, conditions will be the greatest for severe storms to develop.
This severe weather threat covers much of the eastern seaboard and Appalachian Mountains, including the Delaware Valley.
Stay with us here at CBS News Philadelphia for the latest developments and timing of the storms. The entire NEXT Weather Team will keep you updated here, streaming, on TV and social media.