Weather Service Issues Tornado Warning

At 1:50 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Central Bucks and Eastern Montgomery counties and Northeast Philadelphia in effect until 2:30 p.m.

The warning said a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was near Bryn Athyn, nine miles northeast of Philadelphia. The storm is moving northwest at 30 mph.

This thunderstorm was showing signs of strong rotation on Doppler radar.

The service predicted the storm will be near Hatboro, Willow Grove and Ivyland by 2 p.m., Chalfont and Lansdale by 2:20 p.m. and Fricks and Hatfield by 2:25 p.m.

The safest place to be during a tornado is in a basement, according to the service.

Get under a workbench or other piece of sturdy furniture. If no basement is available seek shelter on the lowest floor of the building in an interior hallway or room such as a closet. Use blankets or pillows to cover your body and always stay away from windows.

Here is the local forecast:

This Afternoon: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 74. East wind between 11 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. 

Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 4am, then a chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 60. East wind between 5 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of showers before 8am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8am and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind at 5 mph becoming east. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. North wind between 5 and 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.