Line Of Storms Stretching From West of Scranton To Westminster Maryland

Earlier today, I noted that there is a good likelihood of severe weather across our area.  Right now, conditions across the region are starting to look that way.  Over the past several hours, there has been a good deal of changing skies while winds are increasing out of the southwest.  The sun has come out, and may be the catalyst to generating severe weather around the Garden State.

Temperature wise, it is still very hot and humid.  Currently, at Somerville Airport in Bridgewater, the temperature stands at 92 degrees.  Further east in Northwestern Middlesex County, the GWC WX Station is reporting a temperature of 91.4 degrees with a dew point of 75 degrees.  The heat index rose to 105 degrees earlier thanks to high humidity that produced a peak dew point of 79 degrees.

Looking at the latest satellite and radar, there has been plenty of low level moisture streaming up from the southwest ahead of the approaching cold front.  The combination of the moisture stream and the approach of the front is creating a bit of wind shear.  Strong thunderstorms are building up along a line that stretches from just west of Scranton in Northeastern Pennsylvania southward to Westminster in Central Maryland.  According to the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, these storms are capable of producing hail that is one inch in diameter, 70 mile per hour winds, and dangerous lightning.

As a result, the SPC has issued Severe Thunderstorm Watch #564 for Southeastern Pennsylvania, Central Maryland, Northern Delaware, Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and Western New Jersey until 9:00 PM on Sunday night.  Residents in Middlesex County should closely monitor the progress of these storms as they march eastward, and be prepared for the possibility of severe weather.