March 30, 2017
Get ready for even heavier rain before the night is out that could be accompanied by thunder and lightning.
And hail.
Forecasters at the National Weather Service have boosted expected rainfall amounts and say 2-3 inches is now expected along the I-95 corridor. Four inches of rain are possible in some locations before the storm moves out early Saturday morning.
The heaviest rainfall from the low pressure system will move through the Philadelphia region Friday afternoon and evening. The weather service has a flood watch in effect through 2 a.m. Friday from the city to the Jersey Shore as the potential for flooding in area streams and creeks, as well as urban and poor drainage flooding, has increased.
Forecasters said spotty minor tidal flooding is possible farther south along the coast and the lower Delaware Bay. Strong onshore winds and battering waves will likely cause minor to moderate beach erosion.
Winds will be out of the east around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Gradually clearing is expected from southwest to the northeast during Saturday, with enough sunshine to allow temperatures to rebound by the afternoon. The high will be around 53.
Temperatures climb a bit more on Sunday – to near 60 – with mostly sunny skies.
Here is the 7-day forecast from the weather service:
PHILADELPHIA
Friday: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 51. East wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Friday night: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 a.m., then rain likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 42. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Saturday: A chance of rain, mainly before 8 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 53. North wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind 6 to 9 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Northwest wind 7 to 9 mph.
Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Monday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Monday night: Rain. Low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday: Rain likely before 2 p.m., then showers likely after 2 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 60. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.
Tuesday night: Showers likely, mainly before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Wednesday night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Thursday: A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
