Cold air and rain are moving into the Philadelphia region this weekend, potentially bringing days of much needed precipitation to areas that are bordering on drought conditions, according to forecasters.
Up to 1.5 inches of rain could fall from Friday afternoon through Sunday night, the National Weather Service said.
"On Saturday, chilly, damp air will remain in place across much of the Northeast, while a storm system approaches from the west," Accuweather said. "This setup will produce a swath of rain moving east from Friday night into Saturday."
Scattered showers will begin in the early afternoon Friday, and scattered precipitation is possible throughout the day. Rain will become more likely later into the night and through Saturday, with up to half an inch falling, forecasters said.
Temperatures will drop to 48 on Friday and then down to 43 on Saturday night, when the heaviest rain will hit. Up to three quarters of an inch of new precipitation will fall in the evening, according to forecasters.
On Saturday, chilly, damp air will remain in place across much of the Northeast, while a storm system approaches from the west, according to AccuWeather. "This setup will produce a swath of rain moving east from Friday night into Saturday."
Lighter rain, along with lows in the 40s, will continue through Sunday night before finally breaking on Monday morning,
"While this may be unpleasant, especially since it will be over the weekend, it is good to remember that this is a beneficial rainfall," the National Weather Service's Mt. Holly, New Jersey branch said in forecast discussion.
Indeed, drought conditions have impacted much of the Philadelphia area. Large swaths of Montgomery, Berks, and Chester counties are currently experiencing "severe" drought, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center.
Monday will be drier, but the long range forecast calls for several days of showers next week, as well.
Here's the full forecast for the Philadelphia area over the coming week, according to the National Weather Service:
Friday
Scattered showers before noon, then isolated showers after 5 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Friday Night
Rain likely, mainly after 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday
Rain. High near 53. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday Night
Rain. Low around 43. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Sunday
Rain likely before 8 a.m., then a chance of showers after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Sunday Night
A slight chance of showers before 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 64.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Tuesday
A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
Tuesday Night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
Wednesday
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
Wednesday Night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
Thursday
A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 69. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
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