WEATHER BLOG: An Intense Weather Day
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for most of the state through 9 p.m. A Heat Advisory is also in effect for many through 9 p.m.
This is going to be a pretty intense weather day.
This is one of the hottest days of the year. At 1 p.m., our temperature was already up to 100 degrees. Add in the dewpoint near 70, and it already feels like 107 degrees outside. Wednesday's record is 102 degrees set way back in 1887. We are seeing the heat index over 100 degrees for most of the state already with temperatures still on the climb. Wednesday will be the peak of the heat before we get some relief later in the week, but only because of a strong cold front that has prompted a Severe Thunderstorm Watch.
Thunderstorms are quickly firing throughout Pennsylvania. That is where the cold front is right now. It will be pushing southward Wednesday afternoon, bringing the strong to severe thunderstorms along with it. There is the outside risk for a tornado, but our biggest threat is going to be damaging winds, hail and blinding downpours. It looks like we will get some warnings out of this, and we will pass those along when they come out both on the TV and WJZ.com sides.
Thunderstorms will weaken overnight, while some showers could linger. The front is going to slow down as it moves through Maryland and then stall out just to our south. With it around, we will get several different rounds of showers and thunderstorms both Thursday and Friday. Also, we will start to get some relief from the extreme heat. Highs will still top out near 90 degrees Thursday but then only make it to near 80 by Friday.
The front will slowly wash out Saturday, allowing drier air to move in. It will remain comfortable Saturday before temperatures start building again Sunday. Expect highs back in the 90s Monday with the chance for some afternoon thunderstorms to return.
Be safe out there.
