1:15 PM | ***Gusts to 60 mph possible with "pattern-changing" cold front***

[Latest NEXRAD radar image; courtesy University of Wisconsin]

Discussion

A "pattern-changing" strong cold frontal system is generating showers and embedded strong-to-severe thunderstorms from central Pennsylvania southward to Northern Virginia at mid-day and this band will move rapidly to the east into the I-95 corridor over the next few hours. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph are possible as this line of showers and storms races to the east and there can be brief downpours and small hail in scattered locations. Much colder air will quickly follow with this “pattern-changing” cold frontal passage - already down to 43 degrees in State College - and there is even snow falling across higher elevation locations of western Maryland. Colder-than-normal conditions are likely to not only last for the remainder of the week in the Mid-Atlantic region, but right through the rest of the month of April with 30’s common for overnight lows in many suburban locations to the north and west of the I-95 big cities.