Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Berks and Chester Counties Through 1:30 PM

UPDATE — Thursday, November 12, 12:54 PM EST: The storm is now over Churchtown, 7 miles east of New Holland, moving northeast at 20 mph with 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 7:00 PM EST for eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania.

Berks County, Pennsylvania — A severe thunderstorm is pushing northeast across southeastern Berks County and north central Chester County, carrying damaging winds, large hail, and frequent lightning.

What is happening:

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for southeastern Berks County and north central Chester County until 1:30 PM EST. At 12:39 PM, the storm was near New Holland and moving northeast at 20 mph. Communities in its path include Reading, Wyomissing, Birdsboro, Fleetwood, Honey Brook, Elverson, New Morgan, Glenmoore, Pughtown, Cedarville, Stowe, Shillington, West Reading, Spring City, Mount Penn, Mohnton, Kenhorst, St. Lawrence, Lorane, and South Pottstown. The storm also covers the Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 296 and 308.

Local impacts:

The storm is producing wind gusts up to 60 mph and quarter-size hail. Winds that strong can damage roofs, siding, trees, and power lines, and hail that size can dent vehicles and break windows. Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning is also occurring with this storm.

What to do:

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

Stay away from windows and avoid being near trees or power lines.

If you are outside, get indoors immediately — if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

Do not drive through the storm if you can avoid it.

Source: National Weather Service, Mount Holly, New Jersey. Issued November 12, 2026.