Flood, High Wind Warnings Issued As ‘Multi-Hazard Storm’ Hits PA

PENNSYLVANIA - Fierce winds, heavy rain, severe thunderstorms and possible flooding are in the cards for southeast Pennsylvania during a “multi-hazard” nor’easter storm set to hit the region on Wednesday, forecasters said.

Between one and three inches of rain are expected to drop on the region through Thursday, though locally higher amounts are possible, according to the National Weather Service. Minor local flooding is in the forecast, as well as minor to moderate flooding along the Susquehanna River, AccuWeather said.

“A multi-hazard storm will impact our area on Wednesday,” the weather service said in an X post, formerly Twitter. “The system will bring strong to damaging winds, heavy rainfall leading to flooding, potential for severe thunderstorms, and dangerous marine conditions.”

Though snow isn’t likely to come to most of the state during this nor’easter, a few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible from Wednesday afternoon to early evening.

However, due to the nor’easter freeze, Wednesday’s rain could change to wet snow in the Poconos as temperatures drop into the 30s. In fact, the entire Northeast is likely to see persistent chill (with temperatures 5 to 15 degrees below average) and frosty mornings mid- to late-week, AccuWeather said.

⚠️🌧️🌬️ A multi-hazard storm will impact our area on Wednesday. The system will bring strong to damaging winds, heavy rainfall leading to flooding, potential for severe thunderstorms, and dangerous marine conditions. Briefing: https://t.co/79XzYJ4BY1 #PAwx #NJwx #DEwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/14sHS1pOfF
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) April 2, 2024

As of 10 a.m., five southeastern Pennsylvania counties are under a flood watch through Thursday afternoon. The affected counties are:

• Bucks
• Philadelphia
• Delaware
• Chester
• Montgomery

Over two inches of rain have already dropped on parts of southeast Pennsylvania since Monday, further contributing to ground saturation, according to the National Weather Service.

“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the National Weather Service said in a flood watch statement. “Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.”

The silver lining: heavy rain is expected to taper off by Thursday, which should see partly sunny skies with highs in the low 50s. The weekend forecast appears to be equally sunny with temperatures in the mid 50s.

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

Wednesday: Periods of rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 1 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 56. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Periods of rain and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of rain. Low around 41. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: A chance of showers after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers, mainly before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 52. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.