{"id":140412,"date":"2026-03-17T07:24:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T07:24:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/140412\/"},"modified":"2026-03-17T07:24:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T07:24:12","slug":"unusually-early-tornado-watch-in-effect-for-philadelphia-region","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/140412\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Unusually early\u2019 tornado watch in effect for Philadelphia region"},"content":{"rendered":"

UPDATE, 6:18 p.m.: The tornado watch is no longer in effect as of 6 p.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service<\/a>, but there could be dangerous winds throughout the night.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch<\/a> for much of Southeast Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware on Monday until 7 p.m. While having a tornado alert is not rare for the area, having one at this time of year is abnormal.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is unusually early,\u201d said meteorologist\u00a0Ray Martin,\u00a0who works\u00a0at NWS\u2019s Mount Holly office.\u00a0\u201cNot the earliest we\u2019ve ever seen, but usually it\u2019s later in the season when we start to get a widespread threat like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tornado season in the area is\u00a0typically late spring to mid-summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nA wind advisory<\/a> is also in effect until 2 a.m. Tuesday. The severe weather caused some local school districts, including Downingtown and Spring-Ford, to call for an early dismissal, while Philadelphia canceled outdoor afterschool activities. People around the area are recommended to stay inside.\n<\/p>\n

MORE:\u00a0Dog rescued from Market-Frankford Line support beam that is several stories above ground<\/a><\/p>\n

\nWatches are issued when conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes. Humid, moist air combined with a strong front from the west has the potential to create significant wind speeds up to 80 mph. Atmospheric instability could cause the wind direction to change and rotate, causing tornadoes.<\/p>\n

\nSevere thunderstorms are likely to begin around 2 p.m., the NWS said. Localized flash flooding is possible near Philadelphia, and there could be minor coastal flooding in Ocean County.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a pretty significant threat,\u201d Martin said. \u201cAlready today, we\u2019ve seen quite a few strong thunderstorms. Over the afternoon into the evening, we\u2019ll see that threat spread into our area.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nA tornado warning, which signals imminent threat of severe weather, has not been issued for the area yet, Martin said. But if storms strengthen, a warning is more likely.\n<\/p>\n

Here is a reminder on the difference between a watch and a warning. Watch means conditions are favorable, while a warning means the hazardous weather is imminent. pic.twitter.com\/F4i9NSf6vz<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) March 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\nIf a tornado warning is implemented, Martin recommended that people find shelter, preferably in a basement or a room away from windows.\n<\/p>\n

After a particularly cold winter brought several feet of snow<\/a> to Philadelphia, last week\u2019s warmer temperatures, which reached the low 80s, were some brief respite before another cold front swept into the region. What\u2019s to blame for the weather whiplash this month, according to Martin, is the stubborn nature of this winter\u2019s freezing conditions.<\/p>\n

\n\u201cWe had a very stagnant cold pattern through much of the winter and now it\u2019s breaking down,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to revert back to something more spring-like, and that\u2019s a pattern that is not going to go too willingly.\u201d\n<\/p>\n