Flash Flood Watch Called Ahead Of Overnight Storms

UPDATE: A flash flood watch has been issued across the Philadelphia region overnight and into Friday afternoon.

The National Weather Service has called the 12-hour flash flood watch from 2 a.m. through 2 p.m. Friday.

"A period of heavy rain and thunderstorms could result in flooding issues early Friday morning through Friday afternoon. Generally, 1 to 2 inches of rain is expected, with localized amounts of 3 to 4 inches possible," the NWS said.

The heaviest rain is expected to fall during the morning hours, impacting the commute, the NWS predicts.

Drivers should be prepared for heavy rain. "Rapidly rising flood waters may quickly inundate roadways and areas of poor drainage. Streams and creeks could leave their banks, flooding nearby properties."

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A stormy conclusion to a week-long heat wave is in the forecast for Thursday and Friday. A hazardous weather outlook has been issued for two days of storms, expected to begin later in the day and extend through Friday evening.

Heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms is predicted overnight Thursday into Friday, the National Weather Service said.

Then Friday, expect more heavy rain and thunderstorms. The rain Friday could produce some heavy rainfall with the potential for flash flooding, the NWS said.

It should clear by nightfall, the NWS predicts.

The good news is temperatures will shift, and the highs over the weekend will be much more comfortable than the past week, when a brutal heat wave encompassed the area.

It looks to be a picture-perfect summer weekend on tap, with sunshine and a high temperature of 80 degrees predicted for Saturday and more sun with highs in the low 80s Sunday. Higher temperatures return mid week, with a high of 90 degrees predicted Tuesday.

Here is the forecast:

Today: Isolated showers between 11am and 2pm, then isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. South wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 7pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 85. Southwest wind around 7 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. North wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Northeast wind 6 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 60.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 87.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

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