Lehigh Valley under severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Our Memorial Day weather could get a little dicey.

Showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast, with the potential for heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts, meteorologists said.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for eastern Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley until 9 p.m.

A first wave of activity will pass through early this afternoon with some gusty winds possible.

But the main threat will come later in the afternoon and evening with a cold front that creates the possibility of strong winds and hail – even a tornado, said meteorologist Bobby Martrich of EPAWA Weather Consulting.

Eastern Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley are in an area that could get 2 to 3 inches of rain at rates more than 1.75 inches an hour, according to the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center.

Heavy rain could result in flash flooding, especially in the Lehigh Valley, the weather service said.

The weather service issued the severe thunderstorm watch at 1:45 p.m.

The approaching cold front will clear the way for better weather as folks go back to work. Tuesday will be sunny with a high near 79 and winds 5 to 10 mph.

More precipitation is in the forecast Wednesday, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms likely after 2 p.m. It’ll be partly sunny early in the day with a high near 74 and nighttime lows around 52, according to the weather service.

Thursday is forecast to be mostly sunny and pleasant with highs in the low 70s.