Pennsylvania
Rain, thunderstorms, powerful winds forecast throughout central Pa.
After unusually warm temperatures covered Pennsylvania on Tuesday, forecasters with the National Weather Service (NWS) are predicting rain, thunderstorms and powerful winds in central Pennsylvania starting Wednesday morning.
The Harrisburg area should see rain after 5 a.m. Wednesday with more rain and thunderstorms before 2 p.m., the NWS said. More rain is forecast to fall in the region as temperatures reach a high of 58 degrees.
By 1 a.m. Thursday, Harrisburg, Gettysburg, Lancaster and Reading are expected to receive between a half-inch and 1 inch of rain. Higher rainfall amounts than that are possible during thunderstorms, forecasters said.
NWS forecasters provided the following model for when rain and thunderstorms are expected to hit various parts of Pennsylvania.
Rain will move into Central PA early tomorrow morning and will continue into the afternoon. Additional thunderstorms may develop during the afternoon and early evening, some of which could produce damaging wind gusts and isolated hail. #PAwx pic.twitter.com/W4R6UZ8QaX
— NWS State College (@NWSStateCollege) March 4, 2025
Most areas in Pennsylvania have a similar forecast, with the most rain forecast to fall in Laporte, Hazleton and nearby municipalities.
A NWS post also listed a possibility for tornadoes and hail throughout the central Pennsylvania region.
📈⛈️Early March mild spell peaks Wednesday and culminates with a risk of severe t-storms and localized flooding
❄️🧊Flooding risk is enhanced by melting snow and potential ice jams — particularly focused across north central PA #PAwx pic.twitter.com/LWST6rUIxP— NWS State College (@NWSStateCollege) March 4, 2025
The entire south central Pennsylvania region will have a less than 5% chance of seeing a tornado, the NWS said. Central and eastern parts of the state, including Harrisburg, have a 5% to 14% chance of experiencing hail.
Wednesday’s thunderstorms could also bring damaging winds and isolated hail, the NWS predicts.
Additionally, about two-thirds of Pennsylvania is under a “slight risk” for severe weather on Wednesday.
After a cloudy and blustery day on Thursday, a stretch of sunny days with high temperatures around 50 degrees is predicted for Friday through Monday, the NWS said.