Residents across eastern Pennsylvania should prepare for several weather hazards Saturday as wildfire smoke, poor air quality and potentially severe thunderstorms affect the region.
A Flood Watch remains in effect from 10 a.m. Saturday through late Saturday night for Lehigh, Northampton, Bucks, Berks, Carbon, Monroe, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia counties.
The watch also includes portions of New Jersey and northern Delaware.
Multiple rounds of heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the day and into Saturday night. Some storms could become severe, bringing damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning and torrential rainfall.
Forecasters say storms may produce between 2 and 3 inches of rain in only one or two hours. That amount of rain could quickly overwhelm drainage systems and cause flash flooding.
Flooding may develop along creeks, streams, roadways and other low-lying or flood-prone locations. Urban areas and locations with poor drainage will also be especially vulnerable.
Drivers should never attempt to travel through a flooded roadway. Water may be deeper than it appears, and the roadway underneath may have been damaged or washed away.
Smoke and Code Orange Air Quality Alert
Widespread smoke is also expected across the area, mainly before 11 a.m.
Code Orange Air Quality Alerts are in effect Saturday for the Lehigh Valley, Berks County and the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
Code Orange conditions mean pollution levels may become unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, older adults and people with asthma, heart disease or other respiratory conditions.
Those considered sensitive should limit strenuous outdoor activity and take additional breaks while outside.
Saturday Forecast
Showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the day, with a 90% chance of rain.
Some storms could become severe.
Temperatures will reach around 82 degrees, with southwest winds between 5 and 15 mph. Wind gusts could reach 25 mph.
Rainfall totals between one-half and three-quarters of an inch are expected, although significantly higher amounts could occur underneath stronger thunderstorms.
Saturday Night
Showers and thunderstorms will likely continue before 2 a.m., followed by a smaller chance of showers through approximately 3 a.m.
Some nighttime storms could also become severe.
The overnight low will be around 68 degrees. West winds near 10 mph could gust as high as 20 mph.
Residents should keep weather alerts enabled, secure outdoor objects and remain prepared to move to higher ground if a Flash Flood Warning is issued.
