Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued In Eastern PA: Timing, Forecast

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch across the Philadelphia region, including in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. The watch is in place until 8 p.m.

According to forecasters, thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. The chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected Friday afternoon through the overnight hours. Rain rates of 2 inches per hour will be possible at times. Widespread total rain amounts of 1 to 3 inches are likely, with locally higher amounts possible, the National Weather Service said.

According to The Weather Channel, thunderstorms are most likely in the late afternoon Thursday, with another round possible starting at 7 p.m. and lasting into the night. The rain is expected to continue overnight.

The stormy weather could continue Friday, when there's a chance of showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. The chance of precipitation on Friday is 40 percent.

Additionally, a flash flood watch is in place in the region through Friday morning.

"Heavy rain in short periods of time will cause the potential for streams and creeks to quickly rise out of their banks as well as the potential for flash flooding in urban areas," the flash flood watch states.