Heavy Rain, High Winds Headed To Eastern PA: See Latest Forecast

PENNSYLVANIA —Tropical Storm Nicole is expected to bring heavy and widespread rainfall, as well as damaging winds, throughout the Philadelphia region on Friday and into Saturday, forecasters said. Preparations for the incoming storm, which has swept up from the Gulf of Mexico along the coast, have been underway for some time in Pennsylvania, officials said.

Some flooding, power outages, and other storm impacts are possible, though state officials are hopeful the worst impacts are minimal.

Parts of the state, particularly the central and northwest, could receive up to 4 inches of rain. Around 1.5 inches is anticipated for most of eastern Pennsylvania, including the greater Philadelphia area. Up to an inch of rain an hour could fall during the height of the storm.

Officials are urging residents to be cautious while driving, and to avoid roads altogether when covered with water. Accuweather meteoroglists believe that "urban flooding is a certainty, especially where fallen leaves clog storm drains," but Pennsylvania officials say they're working to address just that contingency.

"Our crews have been preparing for days by clearing out debris around drainage inlets and under bridges while readying equipment," PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said in a statement to media. "With the forecast amount of rain, we remind the public to not drive on roads that are covered with water because even shallow, swiftly flowing water can wash a car from a roadway."

Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) director Randy Padfield said the state is not expecting "widespread" flooding, but residents should still be aware of the possibility.

"Plan out several routes to get to your destination so that you don’t put yourself, your loved ones and first responders in danger," Padfield added.

Timing for the storm has changed slightly. While it was originally predicted to last only through Friday, storm impacts will now likely be felt into Saturday, forecasters said. Rain was slated to begin overnight Thursday into early Friday, with rain and wind predicted through the day Friday and thunderstorms Friday into Saturday.

There's the potential for more severe localized weather where thunderstorms fall, forecasters said.

“Embedded thunderstorms will also be possible, especially this evening and overnight,” the National Weather Service said. “Some of these storms could be severe with damaging winds and a couple of brief, weak tornadoes possible.”

Wind gusts approaching 40 miles an hour are also forecasted for the region.

Here’s the full forecast:

Friday

Rain, mainly after 11am. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 70. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday night

Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 2am. Low around 66. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday

Rain and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 8am. High near 69. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday night
A chance of showers, mainly after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday

A chance of showers before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday night

Mostly clear, with a low around 34.