Severe storms and tornado threat in the Lehigh Valley

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Lehigh Valley is under a weather threat Saturday that includes a severe thunderstorm watch and risk of tornadoes, meteorologists say.

• The Lehigh Valley is under a severe weather threat Saturday that includes a risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes
• Though the threat of tornadic activity isn't huge — with the threat of a tornado or two in the region — it's still significant
• The weather will warm up in the afternoon, but storms will advance quickly

Though the threat of tornadic activity isn't huge — with the threat of a tornado or two in the region — it's still significant.

The National Weather Service in Mt. Holly, New Jersey, predicts isolated hail up to the size of a quarter is possible, as well as frequent lightning and scattered wind gusts up to 65 mph.

"Today is gonna be a day of a lot of changes," said weather service meteorologist Ray Martin.

"It will become a very nice day for a relatively short period of time. People are gonna be tempted to go out and enjoy it," Martin said.

But he warned people not to be lulled into a false sense of security.

"They're gonna have to be very careful about that because, when these storms move in late this afternoon, they're gonna come in fast," he said.

"So they need to be weather-aware, have a way to receive, weather alerts, watches and warnings.

"Of course, keep their eyes to the sky if they have no other options."

He warned that storms will move quickly in the afternoon and evening.

"They could bring certainly some very strong winds and as mentioned, also the isolated chance of a tornado."

The latest forecast discussions predict that as this strong, low-pressure system passes through, it will drag a cold front through the area.

By mid-day, a dry slot is expected to clear the clouds and allow for a few hours of sunshine, with temperatures predicted to be in the low 70s.

But daytime heating in the afternoon could actually lead to storm development along and in front of the trailing cold front, leading to a risk for severe thunderstorms.

There's a brief window where the wind will get ahead of the front, leading to a possibility of an isolated embedded supercell or tornado, the weather service said.

The timing of the severe threat is predicted to be in the late afternoon to evening hours.

Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the afternoon and evening.

There's also a wind advisory in effect until 2 a.m. Sunday. Southwest winds will be 15 mph to 25 mph, with gusts of 40 to 45 mph.

Isolated gusts up to 55 mph are also possible, with the highest gusts expected at higher elevations in the Lehigh Valley, as well as the southern Poconos.

The gusty winds could affect unsecured objects, as well as tree limbs, leading to power outages. The weather service recommended securing outdoor objects and being cautious on the roads.

This is especially the case if operating a high-profile vehicle, like an SUV or truck, which is prone to turning over in high winds.

Stephen Swofford/AP

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Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

The threat in the Lehigh Valley area comes a day after a monster storm system tore through the South and Midwest, spawning tornadoes that shredded homes and shopping centers in Arkansas and collapsed a theater roof during a heavy metal concert, the Associated Press reported.

That outbreak also came a week after a deadly tornado ripped across a long swath of Mississippi. At least 25 people were killed and dozens injured as the massive storm tore through a half-dozen towns on Friday, March 24.

Search and recovery crews continue the task of digging through flattened areas, and hundreds of people have been displaced, the AP said.