Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain In PA Forecast As Storm Approaches

PHILADELPHIA, PA — As much of an inch of rain could fall Thursday in the greater Philadelphia region as the cross-country storm front arrives, forecasters said. While some snow could fall in western Pennsylvania, the long snow drought will continue for most of the eastern half of the state.

Most of the impact will be in the evening hours. There's a chance of rain in the morning, increasing to about a 50 percent chance of rain as the day goes on, with up to a tenth of an inch accumulating, the National Weather Service said.

Wind gusts up to 25 miles per hour will arrive in the evening hours as the rain intensifies, forecasters said. Temperatures will remain mild throughout the storm.

The storm will continue into Friday, with a chance of thunderstorms before 2 p.m., before things clear by the evening, according to the National Weather Service. Lingering storms and strong gusts could cause issues Friday morning.

"Friday, there is a bit of sneaky instability which, when combined with the strong forcing aloft, may result in a few isolated thunderstorms, especially south and east of the I-95 corridor," the National Weather Service's Mount Holly office said Thursday morning. "Rain may be heavy at times, but do not expect those times to be long enough to result in significant flooding concerns." The Mount Holly office expects gusts to stay below wind-advisory levels.

The local area's long-running snow drought, however, will continue.

"New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., have all failed to pick up a mere 0.1 of an inch of snow or more (measurable snow) so far this winter with Boston barely on the board with 1.2 inches," AccuWeather said. "Through this point in the season, the departures from average totals range from about 3 inches in Washington D.C., to over a foot in Boston."

Here's the full forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

Thursday

A chance of rain before noon, then a chance of showers after 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 54. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday night

Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 8 p.m. Low around 52. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 p.m, then a slight chance of showers between 2 p.m and 3 p.m. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northwest wind around 10 mph.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Saturday night

Mostly clear, with a low around 27.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 43.

Sunday night

Mostly clear, with a low around 25.