Musikfest weather looking hot and rainy as festival starts

Rain and higher temperatures are expected this week in the Lehigh Valley leading into the start of Musikfest .

The National Weather Service said showers and storms are possible late Tuesday into early Wednesday, and then again Friday into Saturday. Temperatures are also expected to reach the 90s again starting Wednesday.

The weather service said the region is under a marginal risk for severe weather Tuesday and Friday. Storms could bring heavy downpours and localized flash flooding, according to forecasters.

Temperatures could reach the 90s again this week after nearly two weeks in the 80s. Forecasters are expecting a high of 90 Wednesday, 93 Thursday and 92 Friday. A heat advisory may be issued Thursday, according to the weather service.

There’s a chance of showers and storms this weekend, the first weekend of this year’s Musikfest.

Musikfest, a free outdoor music festival held in Bethlehem’s North and South sides, attracts thousands each year. More than 1 million people attended the festival last year.

The festival kicks off Thursday with its preview night, and continues until Aug. 11. Forecasters said there is a 50% chance of rain Friday night, followed by a 70% chance of rain Saturday night.

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Here is the extended forecast from the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 90. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Thursday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 90.