4th Of July Forecast: Thunderstorms Could Threaten Philly Area

SOUTHEASTERN PA — After a long and dark pandemic, Pennsylvania has emerged in the summer of 2021 vaccinated, healthy, with COVID numbers in steep decline, and ready to celebrate the 4th of July.

However, some severe weather could impact plans over the holiday weekend in the greater Philadelphia area.

The first storm front is set to come through the area on Friday, with small hail and wind gusts possible during the day. The National Weather Service is predicting a few intermittent bursts of storms after that, with rain and thunderstorms possible on Saturday before 8 p.m., and on the 4th of July, after 2 p.m.

However, forecasters do categorize the storm likelihood as "slight," with a 20 percent chance of precipitation. That means there's still a good chance fireworks shows will go on as planned, but it's something to monitor closely over the weekend as the big day approaches.

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Here's the full forecast for the long weekend, according to the National Weather Service:

Friday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce small hail and gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Saturday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Independence Day

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday Night

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday

Sunny, with a high near 87.

Monday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 70.

Tuesday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 30%.