Philadelphia weather: Severe thunderstorm watches, warnings issued for region

PHILADELPHIA - Sweltering heat that's baked the Philadelphia region for the last several days will be tamped down by a system of late-day storms.

Severe thunderstorms were beginning a westward progression from the outer reaches of the suburbs and rolling east by Wednesday evening.

Because the ground is saturated from previous storms, flash flood warnings have also been issued for parts of the Lehigh Valley, due to excess rainfall.   

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the entire region is in effect until 10 p.m.

All flights at Philadelphia International Airport are at a ground stop, due to the weather, while departing flights are experiencing delays in takeoff. All travelers should check with their carriers for updated flight information. 

Temperatures that lingered in the 90s with humidity for most of the day are expected to fall into the 80s as the storms roll in and cloud cover thickens.

That will set the stage for the days ahead as forecasters expect temperatures around the Philadelphia area to remain in the 80s for the next several days. 

Humidity will return on Sunday when temperatures stretch back into the 90s, but another round of storms could bring back a similar weather pattern next week.

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THURSDAY: Not as hot. High: 87, Low: 74

FRIDAY: Sunny, warm. High: 87, Low: 68

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. High: 88, Low: 69

SUNDAY: Humidity returns. High: 91, Low: 72