PA Weather: Days Worth Of Rain, Storms Return To The Forecast

PENNSYLVANIA — An unsettled weather pattern with rain showers and scattered thunderstorms will arrive in Pennsylvania later this week and linger until early next week, forecasters said.

The period of rain could bring more than two inches of rain in parts of Pennsylvania between now and next Tuesday, according to weather models. The most likely days to see rainfall will be Thursday and Friday, but showers and storms remain in the forecast through the beginning of next week.

“A prolonged period of beneficial rains, mainly in the form of periods of scattered showers and thunderstorms, are expected beginning Wednesday and Thursday and persisting through at least early next week,” said the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, NJ. “This should put a bit of a dent in the developing drought conditions across the region.”

There is a slight chance of rain in parts of Pennsylvania on Tuesday, said the National Weather Service. Temperatures will begin to cool Wednesday and Thursday, as cloud cover increases – and the chance of rain, with it. Right now, it looks as if substantial periods of rain will mostly hold off in the region until at least sunset Wednesday, added the NWS.

“Odds increase substantially Wednesday night into Thursday from south to north, as high pressure shifts off the east Coast,” added the NWS.

Expect “light to moderate” rain showers Thursday in the region, with a small chance of thunderstorms.

The weather pattern on Friday and into the weekend looks more likely for storms in southeastern Pennsylvania, said forecasters. Showers and thunderstorms will be enhanced with daytime heating, “particularly if there is any sunshine.”

A rainfall forecast posted by the NWS shows that regions of southeastern Pennsylvania could get two and a half inches of rain, while Philadelphia and surrounding neighborhoods may see two inches of rain between now and next Tuesday.

Also this week in Pennsylvania, smoke from the ongoing wildfires in Canada may bring hazy sunshine and reduced air quality across the Keystone State.

“The zone of greatest air stagnation and potentially the poorest air quality may extend from portions of the Ohio Valley and lower Great Lakes region to parts of the central Appalachians and interior New England,” said AccuWeather.

Here is a look at the forecast through Sunday in southeastern Pennsylvania:

Tuesday afternoon: Mostly cloudy. Near steady temperature in the mid 70s. East winds around 10 mph.

Tuesday night: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s. East winds 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Partly sunny in the morning, then becoming mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 70s. East winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the upper 50s. East winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Thursday: Showers likely. Highs in the upper 60s. East winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Thursday night: Showers likely. Lows in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Friday: Showers likely in the morning, then showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Warmer with highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 80 percent.

Friday night: A chance of thunderstorms. Showers. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 80 percent.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 80s. Chance of rain 80 percent.

Saturday night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms. Showers, mainly in the evening. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 80 percent.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers in the morning, then partly sunny with showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Sunday night: Mostly cloudy. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 70 percent.