Centre County is under severe weather watches, warnings today. Here’s what to know

UPDATE 5:20 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for southeastern Centre County until 6:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Storms were spotted along a line from Bald Eagle State Park to Boalsburg with 60 mph wind gusts and nickel size hail. The storm contains very heavy rainfall, the National Weather Service said, and could cause flash flooding. The warning covers State College, Bellefonte, Boalsburg, Pleasant Gap, Lemont, Zion, Houserville and Pine Grove Mills. The warning also includes parts of Interstate 80 between the Snow Shoe and Lamar exits (mile markers 155 to 166) and Interstate 99 from mile markers 74 to 85.

The original story is below.

As temperatures climb toward 90 degrees Wednesday afternoon, Centre County could see severe thunderstorms.

The area is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m. and a flood watch until 11 p.m.

Showers and thunderstorms are expected after 5 p.m. as temperatures in State College reach a high near 90, the National Weather Service said. The storms could bring damaging winds and heavy rain, the weather service said in its forecast. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue overnight into Thursday.

Thunderstorms could bring 3 to 4 inches of rain. “If this rain falls within a shorter time window (1 to 2 hours), localized flooding may occur,” the NWS said.

A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding — it does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible. The NWS advises residents under a flood watch to monitor forecasts and be prepared to act in case a flash flood warning is issued.

A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood — a sudden, violent flood — is imminent or occurring. Anyone in a flood-prone area should immediately move to higher ground, the weather service says.

Thursday will bring a chance of showers mostly before 10 a.m.

Staying safe in a thunderstorm

A severe thunderstorm watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms. A warning is issued when a severe thunderstorm is detected by radar. These storms can produce large hail and damaging winds and may bring tornadoes.

The National Weather Service offers these thunderstorm safety tips:

• Stay inside a sturdy building or shelter that can protect you from deadly lightning, large hail, damaging winds, flooding rain and tornadoes.
• Once inside, stay away from windows and avoid electrical equipment and plumbing. Don’t forget to bring pets inside. If possible, secure loose objects outside so they do not become dangerous flying debris in high winds.
• Postpone outdoor activities until the storms have passed.
• If caught outside, take shelter in a sturdy enclosed building or hard top automobile immediately. Avoid open spaces, isolated objects, high ground and metallic objects.
• Get out of boats and away from bodies of water. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning.

This story was originally published June 22, 2022 at 2:58 PM.