BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Damaging winds could sweep through the area again tonight, according to predictions from the National Weather Service.
The Storm Prediction Center is calling for an enhanced risk (3 out of 5) of severe thunderstorms, high winds and hail.
Forecasts also call for a low risk of a tornado — just a 2% chance spread upward across northern Virginia to Maine.
The NWS issued a severe thunderstorm watch from 11:10 a.m. until 7 p.m. for 10 counties — including Lehigh and Northampton counties.National Weather Service
Outlook risks were upgraded after the NWS yesterday forecasted slight risk (2 out of 5) for the area Sunday.
The NWS issued a severe thunderstorm watch from 11:10 a.m. until 7 p.m. for 10 counties — including Lehigh and Northampton counties.
But the service predicts storms will begin "mainly after 3 p.m."
Scattered storms, downward bursts
Scattered thunderstorms likely will bring damaging winds, "a few embedded severe gusts," and "isolated potential for large hail or a tornado," the weather service said.
Downburst potential also could become enhanced. The winds descend from a thunderstorm and spread out quickly once they hit the ground, around similar force of low-category tornadoes.
“When the downdraft hits the ground, much like a stream of water coming out of a faucet and hitting the sink, it spreads out rapidly in all directions and becomes known as a downburst,” the weather service said.
Lake Harmony in Carbon County faced downbursts upward of 110 mph last Wednesday — similar to that of an EF-1 tornado which has 86-110 mph winds.
Tonight's forecast from the NWS suggests wind gusts upward of 20 mph, later lowering to 10 mph.
But that doesn't mean the area couldn't face tree-toppling winds tonight.
The SPC's outlook map shows parts of the Lehigh Valley with a greater chance of "damaging thunderstorm winds or wind gusts of 50 knots or higher."
