Arts Fest Forecast: Tornado Watch Posted With Storms Expected Thursday

The first day of Arts Fest comes complete with thunderstorms and a tornado watch, but the rest of the fest should see dry and sunny skies.

Accuweather meteorologist Paul Walker says Thursday will be a warm and muggy day with a high temperature of 78 degree. Sometime in the afternoon, probably after 3:00, he says some thunderstorms will roll into the area.

The National Weather Service has also issued a tornado watch in Central Pennsylvania until 9 p.m.

The rains are expected to stick around until at least 10 on Thursday night, with a lot of variance in the total amount of rainfall.

“We’re going to see some pretty heavy rains that may lead to flooding problems, and there’s also the possibility for some damaging winds,” Walker says. “One place may only see a tenth or a quarter inch of rain, but someplace else a mile day the road could easily see over an inch.”

But don’t let Thursday discourage you from taking in the Arts Fest in State College or the People’s Choice Fest in Boalsburg. The rest of the weekend will be perfect festival weather.

Walker says Friday and Saturday will both be less humid than Thursday, with high temperatures of 76 and 79, respectively. 

Sunday will be a bit warmer and more humid with a high of 82, but Walker still expects a “pretty pleasant” day over all.

To celebrate the end of Arts Fest, Mother Nature will bring some thunderstorms back to State College on Monday. Walker says there’s a possibility of scattered storms throughout the day, with an expected high of 79 degrees.

Keep up with the latest Accuweather forecast by clicking here.