Fierce Storm Moves Into Eastern PA: Latest Timeline, Impacts

PENNSYLVANIA - A fierce storm set to bring up heavy rain, moderate to major flooding and wind gusts up to 65 mph capable of causing power outages is slated to hit Pennsylvania Tuesday.

Forecasters say the storm will bring 2 to 3 inches of rain, with four inches possible in the most heavily affected areas. The heaviest rain will fall from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 2 a.m. Wednesday, with several rivers slated to experience “moderate to major flooding” across northern New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania, the National Weather Service said.

AccuWeather meteorologists even warn of "dangerous to life-threatening conditions" stemming from rapid flooding, downed trees, high winds and darkness Tuesday night.

Power outages could be widespread and long lasting, especially in remote areas, AccuWeather added, with the most ferocious wind gusts expected to happen overnight.

The storm has sparked a “heightened concern” for river flooding, with snowfall from last weekend’s winter storm set to increase runoff and flooding potential, forecasters said.

“Heavy rain on top of already very saturated ground and rivers running higher, plus snow melt across the north could lead to widespread and significant flooding,” the National Weather Service said. “Higher rain fall rates could result in urban flooding and even some flash flooding.”

Central Pennsylvania is expected to see a wintery mix start the deluge, with “slick travel” in the morning giving way to rain, snow melt and potential flooding as “significant rainfall” accumulates, the National Weather Service said. Counties near State College are slated to get up to 2 to 3 inches of snow, with neighboring counties forecast to see 1 or 2 inches, though higher elevations of Sullivan County may see up to 3 to 5 inches of snow.

High winds and flooding are possible in NE and Central PA starting this afternoon.

👀 Pay attention to changing forecasts
🤔 Make informed travel decisions
🏞 Be aware of places that are prone to flooding along your route
🚫 Don’t travel if there’s a flash flood warning #pawx pic.twitter.com/tTBEUk4Nc6
— PA Emergency Management Agency (@PEMAHQ) January 9, 2024

A flood watch has been issued from 1 p.m. to Wednesday afternoon in Clinton, Centre, Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, Bedford, Fulton, Franklin, Tioga, Sullivan Lycoming, Union, Snyder, Montour, Northumberland, Columbia, Perry, Dauphin, Schuylkill, Lebanon, Cumberland, Adams, York, Lancaster, Carbon, Monroe, Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Chester, Montgomery and Bucks counties.

“Some roads become impassable,” the National Weather Service said. “Minor damage to vulnerable structures may begin to occur … tidal flooding could be significantly enhanced if the surge is more timed with high tide and combined with runoff from heavy rain.”

Wednesday should be mostly dry (save for lingering early morning showers) but windy with gusts up to about 40 mph.

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

Tuesday: Rain likely, possibly mixed with snow before 10 a.m., then rain. High near 52. Breezy, with a southeast wind 16 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Rain, mainly before 3am. Low around 40. Windy, with a southeast wind 24 to 29 mph becoming west 11 to 16 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 48 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. West wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.