Rainfall Totals Rise For Next PA Storm, Flood Risk Increases

PENNSYLVANIA – The Garden State is set to see several inches of rain through the week after multiple rounds of rain hit the region through Saturday, forecasters said.

While the steadiest and heaviest rain expected Wednesday and Saturday, half an inch of rain or less has already fallen on most of the state as of 9 a.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Southeast Pennsylvania could see up to 3 to 4 inches of rain accumulation through Sunday, with an increasing risk of flooding in the state throughout the week due to saturated ground.

“With the latest guidance, there appears to be a trend to slightly further east with rain amounts. If this trend continues, it will be good news so far as limiting the flooding threat across our region,” the agency said. “Primary concern for the flooding risk at this point is in coastal areas, especially around the times of high tide as the tide coming in could exacerbate any freshwater drainage.”

AccuWeather is already predicting travel delays Thursday due to potential flooding, according to its daily forecast.

Tuesday is expected to see rain before 1 p.m. and a drizzle after 1 p.m. with patchy fog at night, the National Weather Service said. Another round of heavy rain is expected Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning before sunny skies make a brief appearance Friday. Saturday will once again usher in a new round of rain through Sunday.

The silver lining: sunny skies are expected to return to the Garden State just in time for the Monday morning commute.

Here’s the latest forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

Tuesday: Rain, mainly before 1 p.m., then areas of drizzle with a chance of rain after 1pm. High near 54. East wind around 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. West wind around 5 mph becoming south after midnight.

Wednesday: Rain, mainly after 1 p.m. High near 58. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain. Low around 48. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.