Multi-Day Severe Thunderstorm Threat in Pennsylvania From Wednesday to Saturday; Major Hurricane Laura Making Landfall Tonight

An unusual stretch of severe weather potential will continue all the way through Saturday here in Pennsylvania. Each day will feature different risks in different areas, and you can find those details below. In addition, Major Hurricane Laura will make a devastating landfall early Thursday morning likely as a Category Four with wind gusts of 150 MPH and extreme storm surge.

WEDNESDAY SEVERE THUNDERSTORM RISK MAP


A Slight Risk is up for northwest PA Wednesday. The threat doesn’t look overly impressive, but isolated damaging winds and a very isolated tornado possible.




THURSDAY SEVERE THUNDERSTORM RISK MAP

All of northeast and north-central PA are under an Enhanced Risk Thursday, which includes a significant risk for damaging winds and large hail. Scattered tornadoes are possible as well. The threat gradually decreases as you go south in the state, but most other locations are in a Slight Risk for the same risks.




FRIDAY SEVERE THUNDERSTORM RISK MAP

The SPC has most of the state with the exception of NEPA in a Marginal Risk Friday for a chance of isolated strong to severe storms which may contain gusty winds and hail.




SATURDAY SEVERE THUNDERSTORM RISK MAP

A 15% Slight Risk is already up for Saturday in much of the state. Scattered storms could bring a damaging wind threat.




MAJOR HURRICANE LAURA NHC FORECAST CONE

Major Hurricane Laura will make a devastating landfall with maximum winds of 120 MPH and gusts up to 150 MPH near Port Arthur, TX Thursday morning. Mandatory evacuations are underway from Galveston, TX to Port Arthur and parts of southwest Louisiana due to storm surge of 10 – 15 feet expected, which will put most locations within 20-30 miles of the coast under water. Laura is expected to have very minimal impacts on us here in PA, fortunately. Below is the NHC Forecast Cone for Major Hurricane Laura.

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Josh has been passionate about weather as long as his memory dates! From watching the Weather Channel at age 7, to making hand-drawn hurricane maps at age 11, starting his first weather site at 13, and founding PWA at 15 and forecasting for the state for the past 9 years, Josh's interest in weather has never dwindled! As difficult as it is, he greatly enjoys forecasting for Pennsylvania due to its countless microclimates. The state is an East Coast severe weather hotspot and nearly always home to the rain/snow line during winter storms!