Wild Weather Weekend: What’s Coming After the Smoke?

From Smoke to Storms

Over the past week, we went from super hot weather to lots of smoke and haze in the air. Now, the focus is changing. For the rest of Saturday, we need to watch out for big, loud thunderstorms that could get pretty scary.

What Kind of Storms Are Possible?

The storms might bring:

• Damaging wind gusts (strong bursts of wind)
• Hail (chunks of ice falling from the sky)
• Flooding downpours (really heavy rain)
• Maybe even one or two tornadoes

The Storm Prediction Center (a group that watches for big storms) says our whole area is under an "enhanced" threat for severe weather. That’s a level 3 out of 5. They also put most of the region under:

• A Tornado WATCH
• A Severe Thunderstorm WATCH (for far northern and western counties: Pike, Luzerne, Schuylkill, Lebanon, and Lancaster)

Both watches are in effect until 9pm this evening.

Important: A "watch" means the ingredients for bad storms are there—it does NOT mean a storm is guaranteed everywhere. It just means be ready!

How the Storms Might Play Out

Severe weather is not a sure thing for everyone. But the setup is there for scattered strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon into the evening.

Here’s the basic timeline:

1. At first, single storms or small groups of storms may pop up.
2. Later, as a cold front (a line of cooler air moving in) crosses the region, we may see a line or several lines of storms in the evening.

The Main Danger: Wind

The biggest threat is damaging straight-line winds. That’s just very strong wind that goes in one direction (not spinning like a tornado).

• Winds could gust over 60 mph in severe storms.
• That’s strong enough to cause power outages and knock down trees.

Smaller Chances: Hail and Tornadoes

There is also a smaller—but real—chance of:

• Large hail at least 1 inch wide
• One or two tornadoes

Because winds high up are strong and change direction as you go higher (we call that wind shear in weather talk), the tornado risk is a bit higher than normal. A tornado as strong as an EF-2 (winds 111–135 mph) is even possible, but that would be rare and in just a few spots.

Don’t Forget the Rain and Flooding

Any thunderstorm—severe or not—can have:

• Lots of lightning
• Heavy downpours

A Flood WATCH is also up for much of the region through late Saturday night. We could get 1 to 3 inches of rain.

We are still in a drought and need rain, but:

Important: 1 to 3 inches of rain in just one or two hours is too much too fast. It can cause flash flooding. Small creeks, streams, cities, and places where water doesn’t drain well are most at risk.

When to Watch the Skies

We’ll be watching closely for the rest of the day, especially between:

1. 3pm
2. 9pm

These times are rough guesses and can change.

Also, the showers and storms we already saw today can change how strong the next round gets. If it stays cloudy and cool, storms may stay weak. That’s because of something we call a "cap"—like a lid on top of the storm clouds that keeps them from growing big. If the cap breaks, the sun comes out, it warms up, and strong storms become more likely.

Smoke Is Still Around

Remember the smoke from Thursday? Some of it is still hanging around and will drift north and east, leaving by evening. The rain should clean the air up by tonight and for the rest of the weekend.

But thick smoke and haze can also act like a cap and keep storms from getting strong. So smoke is another wildcard in this tricky forecast.

Stay Weather Aware

It won’t rain all day, and not everyone will see severe weather. But you should stay alert.

You can get updates from:

• WFMZ-TV 69News
• The 69News weather channel
• The free 69News StormCenter App (radar, watches, warnings, forecasts)

Track the Weather

Links:

• HOUR BY HOUR
• RADAR
• TRAFFIC

Summary

This Saturday started with smoke but may end with strong storms. Our region is under an enhanced severe risk (level 3 of 5) with tornado and severe storm watches until 9pm. Main threats are damaging winds over 60 mph, plus possible large hail, isolated tornadoes, and flash flooding from heavy rain. Smoke and earlier storms may weaken or change the timing. Stay tuned to 69News and the StormCenter App, and keep an eye on the sky from 3pm to 9pm.

FAQ

1. What does a “watch” mean?
A watch means conditions are right for bad storms, but they haven’t happened yet. It’s a heads-up to be ready.

2. Will every town get a severe storm?
No. Severe weather is scattered, so some places may just get rain while others get strong storms.

3. Why is smoke important for storms?
Smoke can block sun and act like a “cap” that keeps storm clouds from growing, making severe storms less likely.

4. What is a “cap” in simple words?
It’s like a lid in the sky that stops storms from getting tall and strong. If it breaks, storms can get wild.

5. How can I stay safe and informed?
Watch 69News, use the free StormCenter App, and check radar and hour-by-hour forecasts often.