A Severe Thunderstorm threat for Saturday. *** A TORNADO WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH 5:00 PM SATURDAY*** !

10:20 AM
A TORNADO WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR OUR REGION THROUGH 5:00 PM SATURDAY 5/31/08

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/ww0402.html

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SEVERE WEATHER UPDATE
SATURDAY: 5/31/08
9:00 AM

FOR THE DELAWARE VALLEY:
SE PA, SOUTHERN/CENTRAL NJ, AND DE.

DISCUSSION:

Our cold front and it's associated strong to severe storms continue to track eastward from the Ohio Valley this morning. A complex of Thunderstorms now from Northern West Virginia, northeastward into SW and Central PA, as of 8:30 AM this morning, will continue moving eastward.

These storms are quite strong as heavy rainfall with stronger cells are embedded in this complex. Very warm and moist air continues to build ahead of this complex and frontal system here in the Delaware Valley this morning. The atmosphere will become quite unstable as we approach the afternoon hours, at the same time our front begins moving in. There's a moderate risk of Severe thunderstorms for the entire region into this evening. Some of these storms will contain heavy rainfall, dangerous lightning, strong damaging winds, and some hail.

To sum it all up, many areas in Eastern PA, NJ and DE, will have a round of widespread showers and Strong to possibly Severe thunderstorms, between 12:00 PM this afternoon and 9:00 PM this evening.

All areas West of PHL will see the best chance for this activity, between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

Areas from PHL and points east into NJ, and DE, will see this activity move in between 2:00 PM and 9:00 PM.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch box will probably be issued early this afternoon, into the early evening hours, for the entire Delaware Valley Region.

Ruggie
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Weekend Outlook Preview:
5/30/08 @ 10:00 AM

After our stretch of fine Spring weather and pleasant temperatures, Saturday is looking to be quite Rocky here in the Delaware Valley Region. Both temperatures and Humidity will rise on Saturday ahead of a strong cold front pressing east from the Midwest and Ohio Valley. High pressure moving offshore today, will begin pumping in a Southwest flow of warmer and increasingly moist air later today through Saturday. The combination of these elements, and a rather strong jet stream aloft, will set the stages for a widespread area of strong to severe thunderstorms for Saturday afternoon and evening.

Dangerous lightning, Hail, and Strong winds, will be the main concern with these storms. I'll do a complete update on Saturday morning with more thoughts on this severe threat. This strong cold front, and it's severe weather will clear the coast Saturday night. Expect clearing skies later Saturday night and a nice day for Sunday, with less humidity but continued warm conditions as temperatures will be near 80.

Ruggie