BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Severe storms will affect much of the East on Wednesday, forecasters say, with the Lehigh Valley likely to see heavy rain in the afternoon and through the evening rush.
The National Weather Service has focused much of its attention over the Carolinas and southeast Virginia, where storms capable of producing damaging winds and a few tornadoes are possible.
Other strong to severe storms are likely to occur across parts of Florida and east Georgia, and also from the Allegheny Plateau into the mid-Atlantic region, including the Lehigh Valley.
We have multiple hazards to be aware of today -- strong winds will develop across DelMarVa and coastal NJ. Then a squall line will track through the area late this afternoon.
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) March 5, 2025
Prepare for the potential for downed trees and power lines as the storms produce strong winds. pic.twitter.com/d0xEeL1d8E
‘A decent amount of rain'
“We do have a wild weather Wednesday, with a cold front moving through the region,” EPAWA meteorologist Bobby Martrich said in his latest video update.
Spotty showers are expected to break out early, with the bulk of the activity expected from the afternoon through the early evening.
“There could be a decent amount of rain with it,” Martrich said, with moderate to heavy rainfall likely during the evening rush.
Martrich said the setup of the front will be a north-south alignment, which typically brings enhanced rainfall.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the higher elevations squeeze out more than some of the other areas around it,” he said.
Severe concerns
It’s expected that a squall line — or a line of active thunderstorms — will be embedded within the rain band as it moves across the region, the weather service said.
Atmospheric conditions “will support the potential for severe thunderstorms to occur in association with this squall line. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out considering the overall dynamics,” the latest NWS forecast discussion said, with that risk falling well south of the Lehigh Valley.
The Storm Prediction Center has maintained its outlook for the area, with a slight risk (2 out of 5) level over parts of Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Delmarva, and a marginal risk (1 out of 5) further north, including our area.
A volatile month ahead
While Wednesday could see temperatures surge into the 60s, March is a volatile month known for a temperature roller coaster and unpredictable weather.
While the end of the week and the weekend are expected to be chilly, forecasters say high pressure will build into the region next week, bringing sunshine, dry conditions and warming temperatures.
Highs by the middle of the week could push into the 70s for a day or two, outlooks suggest.
