Storm To Usher In Miserable Start To Weekend

EASTERN PA — Heavy rainfall will slam into the greater Philadelphia area this weekend, bringing with it temperatures just above freezing and potentially causing flooding, forecasters said.

The storm, more typical of midwinter than mid-April, will likely impact travel plans throughout the area and could bring damage to flood-prone parts of the region. Up to 1.5 inches of rain could fall throughout the weekend, with even more possible in localized areas.

"Enough rain can pour down to cause urban flooding in some neighborhoods," Accuweather said. "The combination of rain, ponding and poor visibility can lead to hazardous conditions on the highways. Drenching rain, fog and low clouds and even thunderstorm activity may trigger airline delays at the airports."

Light rain is likely to fall throughout the morning and into the afternoon Friday, and will pick up in intensity as the day turns to night, the National Weather Service said.

The heaviest rain is anticipated to hit Friday night, with wind gusts up to 20 miles per hour. Temperatures will also drop steadily overnight to around 40 degrees, making for brutal conditions.

Outside of the five county area, in parts of the southern Poconos, a small amount of snow is possible, forecasters said.

Rain will slowly taper off throughout the day on Saturday, but another quarter inch could fall before all is said and done, forecasters said. It will remain cold, with a low Saturday of around 38.

Things will clear up by Sunday, with a high of 58.

Here's the full forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

Friday
Rain. High near 49. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday night
Rain. Low around 40. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Saturday
Rain likely, mainly before 2 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 44. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday night
A chance of rain, mainly before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Sunday
Partly sunny, with a high near 58. North wind around 10 mph.

Sunday night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 42