Severe Thunderstorm Watch In Philly Area, Laura Remnants Expected

SOUTHEASTERN PA — Once again, forecasters are warning of the potential of heavy thunderstorms in the greater Philadelphia region as the remnants of Hurricane Laura continue to make their way across the country.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in place for north-central Chester County, the National Weather Service said. It expires at 4:30 p.m. During a warning, residents should move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Minor damage to roofs, vehicles, and power lines is possible.

Severe thunderstorms were located along a line from Kennett Square to Hope Creek, moving east at 30 miles per hour at 3:52 p.m., the NWS said.

Earlier, a severe thunderstorm watch was declared by the National Weather Service in Philadelphia, Chester, Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery counties early Friday afternoon. It also impacts several counties in the central and south-central parts of the state, as well as South Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. The watch was declared at 1:35 p.m. and is in effect until 8 p.m.

There's also a flood advisory in place for parts of Montgomery, Bucks, Lehigh, and Chester counties.

Showers and thunderstorms are considered "likely" in the greater Philadelphia area, mainly after 5 p.m. and continuing through the evening hours. A severe thunderstorm watch is issued when hail could exceed one inch in diameter and winds could reach 58 miles an hour or greater.

Hurricane Laura, now downgraded to a tropical depression, hit the Gulf Coast earlier this week as a Category 4 storm, leaving wreckage behind across Louisiana. Four people were killed.

Storms are expected to continue into Saturday in the greater Philadelphia area. Here's the full forecast from the National Weather Service:

• Friday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 3am. Some of the storms could be severe. Patchy fog after 9pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 8am. High near 82. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
• Saturday night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Low around 61. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

The weather is expected to clear by Sunday, with sunny skies and a high of 80.