Watch Out for Floods

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a flood watch in effect from Tuesday morning through late Wednesday night for Bucks and Montgomery counties and surrounding areas.

Rainfall amounts of two to four inches are possible during the watch period. Locally higher amounts are possible. 

Flooding is possible if these predicted rainfall amounts occur.

According to the Weather Service, two low pressure systems will consolidate into one over the Carolinas tomorrow. The low will then shift over the Ohio valley on Thursday before moving offshore on Saturday. Because of the slow movement of the low and the track itself, the region will experience a prolonged, moisture-rich southeast flow that is likely to result in periods of moderate to heavy rain from late tonight through Wednesday night. 

Flooding would first occur in low-lying and poor-drainage areas, followed by quick responding creeks and streams, followed by larger rivers. 

As of now, the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers are not forecast to flood even if the rain amounts do materialize.

A flood watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts.  You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

Here’s the local forecast:

Late Afternoon: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 63. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3am. Low around 58. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 65. East wind between 11 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Periods of rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 59. East wind between 10 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Wednesday: Periods of rain and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 68. East wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 40%.