ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Lehigh Valley is expecting severe weather on Sunday, with showers, thunderstorms and even hail possible.
According to the National Weather Service, tomorrow's humid weather forecast suggests the development of rain and storms in the afternoon.
- Sunday in the Lehigh Valley will be humid, with the National Weather Service predicting the development of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon
- The main concern with these storms will be damaging wind gusts and large hail. There is also a small chance for a few brief spin-ups
- Severe thunderstorms are expected to start around 2 p.m. west of Philadelphia and gradually move towards the coast, possibly clearing the area by 10 p.m.
Forecast models indicate that a line of storms eventually will form and move eastward, the weather service says.
The primary concern associated with the storms will be "damaging wind gusts and large hail," it says.
The forecast indicates that the window for severe thunderstorms will likely open around 2 p.m., with thunderstorms expected to initiate west of Philadelphia.NWS Mount Holly
There is also a non-zero (which means small) chance for a few brief spin-ups.
Air quality poor, but rain may help
The forecast indicates the window for severe thunderstorms likely will start about 2 p.m., with thunderstorms expected to initiate west of Philadelphia.
As the day progresses, the storms gradually will advance toward the coast, potentially pushing off the coast by about 10 p.m., the weather service said.
The Storm Prediction Center has assessed the risk level for severe weather and maintains a slight risk along a line extending from Reading to Trenton through Asbury Park, New Jersey.
Remaining areas fall under a marginal risk (1/5) classification.
As for the air quality, the Lehigh Valley saw the return of wildfire smoke Thursday and was under a Code Orange air quality alert Friday and Saturday.
The air quality remained bad as of 5 p.m. Saturday, with Allentown being at 109, Bethlehem at 115 and Easton at 115.
That's because of Canadian wildfires smoke drifting back into the region, says a weather report by our digital content producer Stephanie Sigafoos.
Experts warn that local residents should be prepared for a hazy summer, though the upcoming rain should provide some relief.
