BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Downpours and thunderstorms are expected to ramp up across the region heading into the weekend, forecasters warn.
As heat engulfs much of the country — and a heat advisory runs through 8 p.m. Friday for the Lehigh Valley — scattered strong storms are expected to bring the risk of localized flooding and damaging winds, the National Weather Service said.
“This is also going to be through the day here on Saturday and possibly into Sunday as well,” EPAWA meteorologist Bobby Martrich said in his latest video update.
EPAWA is the exclusive weather forecast provider for Musikfest, which held its Preview Night on Thursday and officially kicks off Friday, with opening ceremonies at FestPlatz. Among the events:
- 5:30 p.m.: Opening ceremonies at Festplatz
- 7 p.m.: Sugar Ray, Better Than Ezra, and Tonic at Wind Creek Steel Stage
- 8:30 p.m.: Steal the Sky at Festplatz
- 10:45 p.m.: The Sequel Show
Friday’s forecast
The Storm Prediction Center has a marginal risk (1 of 5) for severe weather in place across the area on Friday.
Additionally, the Weather Prediction Center has a slight risk for excessive rainfall across a wide swath of the region.
The weather service said there are favorable dynamics at play for higher rainfall totals in any storms, thanks to a southwesterly flow aloft drawing more moisture into the region.
“There will be an increased risk for localized flooding with heavy downpours from any thunderstorms. However, model soundings show that storm motions should be sufficient to keep storms from sitting over one place too long,” the latest NWS forecast discussion said.
Guidance also indicates some storms may evolve in a semi-organized cluster or line, increasing the risk for damaging wind gusts across the area, the SPC said.
The timing would bring storms into the region Friday afternoon, lasting into “at least early evening,” Martrich said, though he cautioned against looking at models and apps that show more ominous-looking weather.
“It’s not going to rain the entire time (from 2 to 8 p.m.),” he said, flagging heavy rain and frequent lightning as the things to look out for in any storm, along with the “isolated chance for gusty winds that could approach or exceed severe limits.”
Models suggest an arrival time in the Lehigh Valley around mid-to-late afternoon.
Saturday and Sunday forecast
The marginal risk for severe weather is maintained Saturday, along with a marginal risk for excessive rainfall.
Martrich said the Lehigh Valley should be aware of the potential for rain and storms moving through later in the afternoon and into early evening.
“For Musikfest for both days (Saturday and Sunday), you’re looking at a 2 to 8 p.m. window,” he said.
“We will have the hourly details updated on the website throughout the entire festival. We do that multiple times a day,” he said.
For Sunday, both the heat and storm potential will be lower as cloud cover and lower temperatures should prevail.
