Wet weekend weather won’t stop Shore action

A potent set of thunderstorms will rumble through the Philadelphia region tomorrow afternoon bringing damaging winds and the possibility of hail, said meteorologists at the National Weather Service.

Yet the weekend won't be a total loss. And there will be plenty of weekend indoor and outdoor events to keep one from missing the sun and sand.

Forecasters expect Sunday's weather to be seasonably warm and pleasant, although some clouds and renegade showers may pop up from the city to the Shore.

"There'll be rip-roaring storms throughout the afternoon and into the evening," said Jim Eberwine, of the National Weather Service in Mount Holly.

"Although June 1 is the official start of the hurricane season, this has nothing to do with any tropical system," Eberwine said. "It's a very compact potent system coming through. We're going to be issuing small craft advisories early tonight in advance."

The air will be heavy with humidity until the system moves out to sea early Sunday morning, he said.

Rain or shine the free Air Expo at McGuire Air Force Base in Burlington County won't stop the Thunderbirds from flying.

The Saturday rains may throw a wet blanket on the closing days of the Devon Horse Show but organizers promise the country's oldest and largest equine event will canter on as scheduled.

"The rain doesn't stop us," said Darlene Brown. "The only thing that could close us is the lightening."

Tonight and Saturday, the Budweiser Clydesdales will appear in the early evening as the Show's jumping championships continue in a second ring. Also on Saturday, Olympic hopefuls and veterans will show their stuff in the open jumper events. The show comes to a close on Sunday. Tickets are still available.

Down the Shore, there are plenty of indoor events to keep even the most restless beach-lover occupied as the storms blow through.

One exhibit in Atlantic City is sure to get under your skin. Not for the squeamish, Bodies: The Exhibition  continues daily at the Trump Taj Mahal with a wildly-successful display of "plastinated" human cadavers.

On a lighter note, the casinos are chock-a-block with music ranging from rock to schlock. Sheryl Crow performs tonight at the Borgata; Alicia Keys tickles the ivories at the Taj Mahal Saturday; and "Mr. Las Vegas," Wayne Newton does what only he can do tonight and Saturday at Harrah's.

Comedians are in the house, too. Political satirist extraordinaire Bill Maher  performs a rare stand-up gig Saturday night on the Borgata's main stage while the quick-witted Kathy Griffin appears through Sunday at the Borgata's intimate Music Box.

If your tastes run to the more sedate, the Ocean City Flower Show remains in full bloom through June 1 at the Music Pier while the Boardwalk Spring Family Fun Fest on Saturday offers a craft show, live bands and pony rides for the kids Saturday until 6 p.m.

Serious surfers, rarely discouraged by choppy seas or hard rain, will be competing Saturday in Sea Isle City as The Eastern Surfing Association sponsors the first of two weekend contests at J.F.K. Boulevard.