'Disruptive Downpours,' Thunderstorms To Hit Philly Area: Forecasters

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms will hit the greater Philadelphia region this weekend, with severe weather potentially arriving as early as Friday afternoon, forecasters said.

The storms are part of the same weather system that moved through the Midwest this week, bringing heavy rain, AccuWeather reported. The Philadelphia area is slated for a "thorough soaking and disruptive downpours" along with Washington D.C., the report states.

Flooding is possible, particularly where thunderstorms are most severe and in areas of poor drainage, the National Weather Service says.

"Forecasters say the risk of flash flooding will be highest in places where this rain overlaps with downpours that occurred earlier this week," Accuweather adds. "However, even in locations where little or no rain has managed to fall recently, the intensity of the downpours can still lead to rapid urban and small stream flooding."

Thunderstorms and rain become increasingly likely into Friday night, with storms potentially continuing through Saturday night. The most intense period of rain is likely on Saturday during the day, with up to half an inch of rainfall possible, forecasters say.

The storm system is predicted to move out of region by Sunday, which will be clear with a high of 83.

Here's the full weekend forecast:

Friday

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 79. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday night

A chance of showers before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday night

Mostly clear, with a low around 64.