Philadelphia, Pa. – Residents across eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware should prepare for a dangerous stretch of weather Tuesday as multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms threaten damaging winds, large hail, tornadoes and flash flooding. The highest risk is expected during the afternoon and evening commute, when storms could rapidly intensify and create hazardous travel conditions.
According to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, severe thunderstorms are possible throughout Tuesday, with the greatest threat between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Much of eastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, Reading and Allentown, along with central and southern New Jersey and much of Delaware, is under a Level 3 of 5 Enhanced Risk for severe weather. Coastal sections of New Jersey remain under a Level 2 of 5 Slight Risk, while far northeastern portions of the region are in a Level 1 of 5 Marginal Risk.
Forecasters say damaging straight-line winds will be the primary hazard, but scattered storms may also produce large hail and isolated tornadoes. Repeated rounds of heavy rainfall could quickly overwhelm urban drainage systems and small creeks, increasing the potential for flash flooding.
A Flood Watch is in effect for portions of the Interstate 95 corridor, where excessive rainfall could lead to flooding of roads, low-lying neighborhoods and poor drainage areas. According to the National Weather Service, the flash flood threat extends from 6 a.m. Tuesday through 2 a.m. Wednesday, with rainfall rates capable of reaching 2 inches per hour in the heaviest thunderstorms.
Communities including Philadelphia, Allentown, Reading, Trenton, Wilmington, Atlantic City, Dover and surrounding areas should closely monitor weather conditions throughout the day. Residents are encouraged to have multiple ways to receive warnings, avoid driving through flooded roadways and move indoors immediately if thunder is heard.
Additional watches and warnings are likely as storms develop Tuesday. The National Weather Service urges residents across the Delaware Valley to remain weather-aware and monitor updates as conditions evolve through Tuesday night.
