Storms, heavy rain to hit Philadelphia region today with brief tornado risk before Friday chill

A storm system moving through the Philadelphia region will bring several rounds of wet weather today and into Friday, with the greatest potential for thunderstorms from midmorning through the early afternoon.

Showers and embedded storms will become more widespread between about 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., with locally heavy downpours, gusty winds and reduced visibility creating potentially difficult travel conditions.

Ponding on roads is possible, particularly where heavier rain falls over the same areas.

While widespread severe weather is unlikely, we are in a marginal (level 1) severe risk and a 2% tornado risk due to the warm front moving through and the wind shear accompanying today's storms — a brief spin-up tornado can't be ruled out.