BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Showers and storms entering the region early Wednesday could produce gusty winds and heavier rainfall, the National Weather Service said.
The trend should be for the storms to generally weaken, but the Lehigh Valley could see a slow morning commute as a quick quarter-to-half-inch of rain falls, with the heaviest cells set to move through during the morning rush.
“The timing of these showers/storms moving through right around the first part of the morning will not be ideal for the morning commute,” the weather service said in its latest forecast discussion.
The good news is that precipitation shouldn’t linger and is expected to be out of the area by mid-morning as it moves off the coast.
That will set the stage for a summerlike air mass for the afternoon as clouds clear and temperatures rise.
“It’s going to be very, very warm,” EPAWA meteorologist Bobby Martrich said in his latest video update, describing a temperature spread of 82 to 86 across the region.
Allentown is expected to hit 85 degrees, though forecasters say it will become quite breezy with southwest to west winds gusting 20 to 25 mph.
“Earlier it had looked like we could see some additional isolated storms in the afternoon but at this point it looks quite dry,” the weather service said.
Another rather warm day is forecast for Wednesday with afternoon highs well into the 80s in most areas. Morning clouds will give way to afternoon sun. Can't rule out an isolated afternoon shower or storm, though most will remain dry. #PAwx #NJwx #DEwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/GpgBX9BjFP
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) May 8, 2024
An unsettled pattern ahead
Thursday is shaping up to also be unsettled, as another area of low pressure moves across the region, touching off additional rounds of showers and storms.
“What’s worth noting, though, is that the model guidance continues to trend farther south with the track of this system,” the NWS forecast discussion said.
That should keep the severe weather threat out of the Lehigh Valley, but clouds and showers will keep things cooler with highs generally in the 70s.
Chances for showers will linger Friday and straight through the weekend, though it won’t be a washout.
Forecasters say that will be followed by a drying trend early next week.
