The Lehigh Valley could see showers and thunderstorms with damaging winds this afternoon as temperatures soar to near-record levels.
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, says “strong to severe storms” over northern Lehigh Valley, the Poconos and far northern New Jersey are possible this evening, and could produce damaging wind gusts.
The best chance for strong to severe thunderstorms will be from the I-95 and I-195 corridor on north and west, the weather service said. Showers and thunderstorms will begin mid-afternoon in the Poconos, moving west over the afternoon and early evening.
But the real weather news this week is the possible record-breaking warmth, with temperatures 15 to 30 degrees above average for mid-April.
“We continue on track with increasing confidence in early season heat with a significant warm up expected through the middle of the week and into the upcoming weekend with the potential for record-breaking temperatures,” the weather service said.
Records are unlikely to be broken today, with the high expected to reach 84 degrees, four degrees shy of the record set in 2023, according to National Weather Service data. But it’s likely to be broken Wednesday; the high is forecasted to reach 87 degrees, breaking the record of 86 degrees set in 1941 and 1994.
Thursday’s high is expected to reach 86 degrees, shy of the 90-degree record set in 2012.
A front will pass through late Thursday night, but temperatures will remain above normal in the mid-70s and 80s, the weather service said.
Despite thunderstorm concerns, the week is expected to remain mainly dry, which will exacerbate already abnormally dry conditions, the weather service said. Fire concerns remain minimal, however, thanks to light winds.
Here’s the extended forecast from the National Weather Service:
Today: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Light southwest wind increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a 10th of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a 10th of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Friday night: A chance of thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of showers Saturday night.
Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Chance of precipitation is 50%.