First Alert: Dangerous heat, severe storms to hit the Philly region

A FIRST ALERT will be in effect for the Philadelphia region on Thursday and Friday due to severe storms and dangerous heat.

Here’s what we know.

Less severe storm on Wednesday

Ahead of Thursday’s storm, rain is expected to fall Wednesday evening.

According to the National Weather Service, starting at about 4 p.m. — and lasting through 10 p.m. — the Philadelphia region is expected to see thunderstorms that could bring damaging winds and hail up an an inch in diameter.

Though, according to the NWS, the threat for thunderstorms on Wednesday night was only “moderate” as of about 9 a.m.

That changes on Thursday, however.

Dangerous heat expected across the region

Starting Thursday, the Philadelphia region will see dangerous heat and humidity that will last through Friday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

With temperatures in the 90s expected to combine with high humidity on Thursday, the NWS says to expect heat indexes to reach near 100 degrees across much of the region.

The NWS has issued a heat advisory beginning Thursday, as well.

The NWS warns that, because of this heat, there is an increased risk of heat-related illnesses.

Though, come Thursday evening those temperatures should drop into the 60s and 70s.

Along with this heat, thunderstorms are expected across the region on Thursday. This time, the NWS says thunderstorm risk will be slightly higher than Wednesday.

Here, the NWS says, the Philadelphia region could see thunderstorms with damaging wind being the main threat from Thursday afternoon into the evening.

On Friday, again, the NWS warns of a slight risk of severe storms across the Philadelphia region.

Then, this weekend, temperatures are expected to be in the 90s. The storms, however, should be out of the region by the end of the work week.

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