Showers and thunderstorms give way to perfect weekend

A cold front is on the move for this afternoon that will bring showers and thunderstorms to the Philadelphia and New York City metropolitan areas.  However, once this cold front exits the region this evening, the best period of weekend weather we've seen all year will be on the way.

Clouds will continue to increase this morning with isolated to widely scattered showers expected.  The showers and thunderstorms will become widespread this afternoon.  The strongest thunderstorm will feature wind gusts over 40 mph, frequent lightning, small hail, and very heavy downpours.  Localized urban flooding and poor visibility will be some of the impacts from these showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening.  Winds will veer from the southwest to northwest at 10 to 20 mph.  Temperatures this afternoon will rise into the upper 50's to lower 60's along the coast and mid to upper 60's throughout the rest of the region.

High pressure will take hold late tonight on through Sunday with scattered cloud cover expected.  An isolated showers or two will remain a threat through the period but overall most locations will remain dry.  Winds will be from the west, veering to the southwest at 5 to 15 mph.  Low temperatures will range from the mid to upper 40's.  High temperatures will range from the lower to mid 60's on Saturday and upper 60's to lower 70's by Sunday.

A cold front will slowly approach the region on Monday with increasing clouds and showers towards evening.  The cold front will slowly move through the northern Mid Atlantic Monday night through Tuesday with widespread showers and thunderstorms.  The showers and thunderstorms will be capable of very heavy downpours and wind gusts over 40 mph.  Temperatures on Monday will range from the mid 50's for lows and upper 60's to lower 70's for highs.  Temperatures on Tuesday will range from the mid 50's for lows and upper 50's to lower 60's for highs.

High pressure will be in control Wednesday on through Friday with scattered clouds to clear skies.  Temperatures will return to near normal levels.  Low temperatures will range to the lower to mid 30's over the interior and mid to upper 30's along the coast.  High temperatures will range from the mid to upper 50's for highs.