The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, NJ, has issued a Flood Watch that remains in effect from this Friday evening through Saturday morning due to impending excessive rainfall. The areas set to be impacted include parts of northern Delaware, such as New Castle, and several regions across Pennsylvania, including Berks, Delaware, Eastern Chester, Eastern Montgomery, Lehigh, Lower Bucks, Northampton, Philadelphia, Upper Bucks, Western Chester, and Western Montgomery, according to NWS.
With the forecast calling for heavy rain to begin late this evening and persist overnight, the potential for high rainfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour could be on the horizon, creating hazardous conditions for the aforementioned areas. The service advises that creeks and streams may rise out of their banks, and rainfall amounts are projected to hit between 1 and 3 inches over a 6 to 12 hour period, the Flood Watch predicts driving in the rain could be treacherous, especially during periods of heavy downpour.
Residents in the watch areas are urged to monitor the situation as it develops and be prepared to take necessary action should flooding materialize. Particularly in low-lying and flood-prone locations, the excessive runoff expected can result in significant flooding. The NWS detailed outlook for the region has a cloudy start, with chances of showers before 8 am today, followed by possible sunshine later and highs near 80 – a calm before the anticipated storm.
Into tonight and Saturday, showers and thunderstorms are forecasted, as well as a probable continuation of showers and potential thunderstorms through to Saturday night. This weather system is expected to culminate with higher rainfall amounts during thunderstorms, the National Weather Service cautions, driving under these conditions may lead to hazardous situations. As skies clear by Sunday, the weather seems to promise a return to sunny conditions, with high temperatures peaking at around 70 degrees.
Residents and local authorities are advised to stay vigilant, "You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop," the NWS noted.
