Tropical Storm Ophelia Forms: See Latest Timing, Impact For PA

PENNSYLVANIA — Widespread flooding with heavy rain, damaging wind gusts, and even the chance of an isolated tornado hang in the balance for southeast Pennsylvania this weekend as Tropical Storm Ophelia has formed in the Atlantic.

People living in coastal areas are at the greatest risk for storm impacts, but heavy rain from the storm will “spread well inland” and gusty winds are expected across the region, said forecasters.

Between two and three inches of rain are forecast for the Philadelphia region. And, the risk of dangerous rip currents and high seas returns for swimmers and boaters along the Atlantic coast, from North Carolina up to New England.

"People in coastal areas should take this storm seriously," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. "This is going to be a nasty and formidable storm."

Ophelia could go inland in eastern North Carolina early Saturday and reach parts of the Mid-Atlantic Saturday and Sunday. According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm brings threats of life-threatening storm surge, tropical-force winds, heavy rain and flooding.

“Steering breezes are likely to allow the storm to hug the mid-Atlantic coast or perhaps continue to move along to the north, just inland,” said AccuWeather forecasters.

Along the coast, tropical wind gusts could peak between 40 and 60 miles per hour. Through the rest of the state, gusts will peak at 30 mph with gusts up to 35 miles per hour close to Philadelphia.

Gusts could result in downed trees and power lines, and possible power outages.

These strong gusty winds are forecast for late Friday night into Saturday, and forecasters said the winds will be accompanied by periods of rain. There is a low chance that a tornado will form at this time, forecasters said.

Heavy rain will move into the southern half of the region Friday night and spread northward by Saturday morning. Rain showers will continue into Sunday, and taper off Sunday night.

Here is the forecast through Sunday in southeast Pennsylvania, from the National Weather Service:

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. East wind 10 to 15 mph.

Friday Night: Rain likely, mainly after 5am. Cloudy, with a low around 55. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 61. Breezy, with a northeast wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 56. Breezy, with a northeast wind 20 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 65. Northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.