Heavy Storms, Flooding Expected In PA As Hurricane Debby Moves North

PHILADELPHIA, PA — A stormy and wet week is in store for the Philadelphia region as the impacts from Hurricane Debby bring the potential for heavy downpours and flooding, forecasters warn.

According to the National Weather Service, an approaching cold front will cross the region Tuesday night. "This front will interact with tropical moisture associated with Hurricane Debby to result in heavy downpours over the area. Rainfall totals will average 1 to 2 inches, but locally higher amounts are possible," the NWS said in its daily summary. "Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible."

A flood watch is in place across the Philadelphia region from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. In addition to the severe storms and heavy rainfall, localized damaging downburst wind gusts from some severe thunderstorms are possible.

The Philadelphia region is facing a "moderate risk" of excessive rainfall on Tuesday.

Hurricane Debby, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 1 storm, has since been downgraded to a tropical storm. "Debby will meander over the Southeast most of this week," National Weather Service forecasters said. "Direct impacts on the Mid-Atlantic area are possible by the end of this week."

Here is the current expected track for Debby:

Here's the latest local forecast:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday: A slight chance of showers before 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 am and 2 pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog. Low around 67. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 11 am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: A chance of showers between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Thursday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Friday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is percent.

Friday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.