Turning the Big 9-0

Update, 8:30 PM: The severe cell that was situated over South Central Pennsylvania a few hours ago has developed into a squall line of thunderstorms from New York State south into Lancaster County.   This cluster of storms is moving northeast and will graze the northern and western parts of the area over the next few hours.   It would not be a surprise if the outflow boundary from the storm complex works into the Philadelphia metro and provides some gusty winds before 10 or 11 PM as the outflow moves east and the storms move northeast.   The biggest threat with the squall line at this point is damaging wind, particularly for areas north of I-78.

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For the first time this year, Philadelphia hit 90 degrees and with the relatively high dewpoints out and about it definitely feels summery in the immediate Delaware Valley.  Heat index values are in the mid 90's thanks to dewpoints in the lower and even middle 70's.   The warmth will linger through the night and continue into tomorrow as a slow moving frontal boundary approaches from the west.

Radar (up above) depicts thunderstorms that have developed out in advance of that slow moving boundary -- generally scattered in nature and generally across Central Pennsylvania.  The storms are generally lifting northeast and will stay generally west and north of the Philadelphia region and its suburbs.   Berks and Lehigh could get grazed but odds lean against it.     To our west, a tornado watch is up until 10 PM for the threat that any of the storms that develop not only become severe but also develop tornadoes.   None of the counties in the Philly region are under the watch -- it comes as close to us as Lancaster County.   One storm cell in particular -- across Western Maryland -- has produced golfball sized hail and doppler indicates hail to baseball size within the cell.   It also has some rotation with it.   That storm will not hit the Philly area.

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