BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 70s to low 80s across the region Friday, but a cold front moving in this weekend will bring with it a risk of severe weather.
The front is expected to sweep through late Saturday afternoon, bringing showers and isolated thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service.
- The Lehigh Valley is at risk of severe weather on Saturday
- The main threat will be damaging wind gusts, forecasters say
- Even before storms arrive, winds are expected to be 5 to 15 mph early in the day, pushing to 25 to 35 mph during the afternoon.
The Lehigh Valley is at a marginal (or level 1) risk of severe storms, and the main concern from this latest round of severe weather will be damaging wind gusts.
For this weekend, showers and thunderstorms are expected for the late afternoon tomorrow, continuing into the evening. A few strong to severe storms are possible, with the main threat being damaging winds. Stay up to date with the latest forecast at https://t.co/LgidMZaLEV
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) April 21, 2023
Timing
According to the weather service, showers and thunderstorms are expected to move in from the west by mid-to-late afternoon on Saturday.
But even before precipitation arrives, forecasters say the strong southerly flow ahead of the system will bump up temperatures and bring strong, gusty winds to the area.
Winds are expected to be 5 to 15 mph early in the day, pushing to 25 to 35 mph during the afternoon. Some gusts as high as 40 mph are possible.
Impacts
In its morning forecast discussion, the weather service noted that global guidance continues to show “a bit more instability” than previous model runs.
Forecast soundings also show the band of showers and storms will move in during the late afternoon and evening, when instability is maximized.
“All of this brings growing concern to the potential for severe thunderstorms on Saturday evening,” the discussion said. “The Storm Prediction Center now has most of the area in a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms.”
The primary threat is for damaging wind gusts, and the best chance for severe weather looks to be in Delmarva and southeast Pennsylvania, which is where instability is currently forecast to be the greatest in the region.
A half-inch to an inch of rain also is forecast, with locally higher amounts possible.
Outdoor events at risk
Before the storms arrive, wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph are anticipated during the afternoon, forecasters say, with some gusts up to 40 mph possible.
Allentown will hold its 2023 Earth Day in the Park celebration from 12-4 p.m. Saturday in the Arts Park, at 24 N. Fifth St.
Easton’s Earth Day event also will be at risk of severe weather, running from 2-6 p.m. in Lower Hackett Park.
Earth Day cleanups and other events are also planned throughout the area. Find the full list HERE.
