Philadelphia, PA – Over 30 million residents across the Mid-Atlantic are bracing for severe thunderstorms tonight, as damaging wind gusts up to 65 mph and hail as large as one inch threaten the region until 8 p.m. Thursday. Commutes from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., and Richmond could see downed trees, power outages, and hazardous driving conditions as storms intensify through the evening.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect for much of eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and portions of Virginia. Scattered storms are expected to develop rapidly, with the highest risk for large hail and damaging wind concentrated along I-95 and the Baltimore-Washington corridor.
Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore should prepare for sudden, intense downpours and strong gusts capable of snapping branches and toppling unsecured objects. Drivers are urged to stay off roads during severe storms and avoid flooded areas. Residents should charge electronic devices and have flashlights ready, as power outages are likely where the strongest storms strike.
In past summers, storms of this strength have led to significant disruptions, especially for evening travelers. This watch covers over 20 million people and includes historic cities like Lancaster, Newark, and Richmond.
The severe weather threat will persist until 8 p.m., with new warnings possible if storms redevelop. Stay tuned to local alerts and prepare for changing conditions throughout the evening.
