Flood Watch in Effect as Rain Pushes Through [Update]

Update, 5:59 p.m.: 

The flash flood warning for the area has expired, but a general flood watch still remains in effect through Saturday night.

Update, 4:37 p.m.:

A flash flood warning has been issued for the region through 5:45 p.m.

"Rainfall rates of one to one and a half inches per hour are possible with locally higher amounts," the service warns. "Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage areas and low lying spots."

Update, 11:55 a.m.: 

A flood watch remains in effect for the area through Saturday evening, with 1 1/2 to 3 inches of rain expected to fall (and locally higher amounts of 4 inches possible).

Update, 4:04 p.m.:

With heavy rains expected to move into the area this weekend, the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for lower Fairfield County and surrounding areas.

The alert is in effect from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening.

"An approaching cold front will stall over or just west of the region on Friday," the service warns. "This front will tap into deep tropical moisture streaming northward from the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic to produce periods of heavy rain from Friday afternoon into Saturday."

"Widespread rainfall totals of one and one half to three inches are expected. Locally higher amounts of up to four inches are possible," it adds.

The rain could cause "flooding of small streams, urban and poor drainage areas, and basements," according to the NWS.

Original article:

It's no hurricane, but a series of low pressure systems set to move into the region this weekend still has the potential to cause significant flooding, according to the National Weather Service.

"The first round is expected on Friday, with generally 1 to 2 inches of rainfall," the service reports. "This will produce mainly minor urban and poor drainage flooding."

But subsequent rounds of heavy rainfall "will fall onto basically saturated grounds," forecaters warns.

"This will increase the potential for significant flooding, particularly along streams and rivers in northeastern New Jersey, the lower Hudson Valley, and eventually Connecticut," the service adds.

The service's five day outlook for Darien shows a chance of heavy rain or showers from now through Wednesday.