Flash Flood Watch Issued for Bethlehem

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for Bethlehem and the rest of the Lehigh Valley, as “prolonged and heavy downpours” as well as thunderstorms are in the forecast for this afternoon and evening.

The watch starts this afternoon and lasts until Thursday morning.

The weather service says:

“A slow-moving and potent cold front will tap the Gulf of Mexico and it is forecast to generate rainfall amounts of between 1 and 2½ inches. Locally higher amounts are possible in prolonged and heavy downpours. Moreover, thunderstorms may develop.

Prolonged and heavy downpours would cause flash flooding in some locations. Road flooding is likely. Since the ground is frozen just below the surface and plants are taking in very little water, heavy rainfall will not be absorbed.”

In Bethlehem, officials and residents will be keeping an eye on the Monocacy and Saucon creeks, which are prone to over-spilling their banks.

It is expected to be an unseasonably warm day, with a high temperature of about 55. But the winds and the chance of rain will increase as day turns to night, when the heaviest rainfall is expected.

It will feel like winter again by Friday and for the weekend as the high temperatures will once again stay around the freezing mark.