PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Almost Ideal weather conditions will kick off Memorial Day weekend around Philadelphia and the Jersey Shorebut there could be some heavy storms on Monday.
After a few days of decent sunshine and temperatures in the 80s across much of the area, Monday will bring a dramatic change from the sunshine we expect for the rest of Memorial Day Weekend.
Ahead of the storms expected Monday, the CBS Philadelphia NEXT Weather Team has issued a NEXT Weather Alert for Memorial Day due to the threat of some of the stronger storms bringing damaging winds in addition to periods of heavy rain.
The Storm Prediction Center has already placed the southwestern part of the Philadelphia region at a “slight” risk for severe weather, which is Level 2 on the 0-5 scale. The affected area includes Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland and Cape May counties in New Jersey; all of Delaware; and counties west and northwest of Philadelphia, including Chester, Delaware, Berks and Lancaster.
Other areas such as Montgomery and Bucks counties and the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania and Camden, Burlington and Atlantic counties in New Jersey are at a “marginal” risk of severe weather, or level 1 on the 0 to 5 scale.
A few scattered showers are possible Monday morning, but the stronger line of storms is not expected until later Monday evening as a cold front begins to move through from the west.
The main concern with the storms moving across the region Monday evening will be strong damaging winds, but the heavy rainfall associated with these storms could also cause some flooding.
Areas north of Philadelphia — including the Lehigh Valley, Berks County and Upper Montgomery County — are also at “small” risk of excessive rainfall, which could be enough to lead to flash flooding. Precipitation totals may range from 1 to 2 inches, with some locations possibly seeing slightly more.
The storms will end Monday evening as the cold front moves through the region and right now forecasts for Tuesday show more sunshine with high temperatures in the low 80s.
Philadelphia Air Quality Alert for May 25, 2024
Philadelphia and many nearby counties will be under a Code Orange air quality warning on Saturday, May 25, 2024, due to potentially higher ozone levels. Code Orange means air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as people with asthma or other lung conditions, who need to limit the amount of time and strenuous activity outdoors.
There may be times during the day when air quality is okay for outdoor activities. You can stay informed about current air quality conditions in Philadelphia at Airnow.gov.
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