Eastern PA Under Severe Thunderstorm Watch Through 6 P.M.

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Forecasters have released updated information on a system expected to move through the region Wednesday afternoon, bringing storms ahead of a cold front.

According to the National Weather Service, the Philadelphia region can expect a chance of showers and thunderstorms starting around 4 p.m. and going through the evening.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in place until 6 p.m. in the following Pennsylvania counties: Bucks, Lehigh, Philadelphia, Chester, Montgomery, Delaware and Northampton.

The storms are expected to come with gusty winds and even hail, according to that agency. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation currently stands at 90 percent.

The area with the biggest threat for severe storms is along the I-95 corridor, the weather service said.

Once the storms move through, temperatures will plummet.

Overnight lows on Wednesday will be in the 30s and highs on Thursday will be in the low 50s. It will also be breezy Thursday, with gusts as high as 30 mph, the weather service said.

It's the latest in some wacky spring weather the state has experienced.

Earlier Wednesday, southwestern Pennsylvania got the latest spring snow accumulation in 16 years. The National Weather Service measured 1.1 inches of snow, the latest accumulation of an inch or more since 2005, when 1.6 inches was recorded on April 24th. Read more on Pittsburgh Patch.

Here is the forecast:

Today: Showers and thunderstorms before 4 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 4 and 5 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. Some of the storms could produce small hail and gusty winds. High near 69. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 35. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 63. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 69.

Saturday night: Rain after 8 p.m. Low around 52. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.