After a warm start to the week across the Northeast, attention has been focused on the threat of further heavy rain starting on Wednesday, bringing flooding threats to millions of people across the region.
This latest threat comes from the same deadly system that battered the South with severe weather on Wednesday, prompting numerous tornado warnings and flash flood emergencies.
A powerful system engulfing the eastern United States
The developing low pressure system is expected to move northeast toward the Great Lakes during the day Thursday into Thursday night.
As it does so, the rain will intensify, engulfing the eastern half of the United States, with the heaviest rain falling near and along the system’s track as it swirls to the northeast.
The FOX Prediction Center said about 1 to 2 inches of rain could fall from the mid-Mississippi Valley to the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes.
Additionally, the size and strength of this system will pose a threat of high winds to most of the eastern United States, including the Great Lakes, Midwest, Ohio Valley, and Northeast.
The FOX Prediction Center is predicting wind gusts of up to 40 mph across the region, from Buffalo, New York, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to New York City and Boston.
Floods are possible despite low total rainfall
When it comes to precipitation totals, the FOX Prediction Center isn’t really expecting large totals.
Most areas affected by this system will see only 1 to 2 inches of rain through Saturday, but parts of Pennsylvania, upstate New York, and northern New England could see 2 to 3 inches of rain locally. It is expected to rain.
However, the ground is already extremely saturated due to the relentless rains that have hit the region since the beginning of the year.
In fact, Providence, Rhode Island, Wilmington, Delaware, and Hartford, Connecticut have had their wettest starts to the year on record.
Providence has received a whopping 26.07 inches of rain since January 1, while Hartford has received just over 20 inches.
Nearly 19 inches were seen in Wilmington.
Needless to say, flash flooding can occur even with low precipitation totals.
Because of such risks, NOAA Weather Forecast Center (WPC) said Thursday that millions of people were at a medium-risk level of heavy rain in areas from the Ohio Valley east to parts of the mid-Atlantic and central Appalachians that are still recovering from last week’s deadly flooding. It was announced that there will be 2.
Parts of New Hampshire and northern New England and Maine may continue to be at risk of flooding from rain and melting snow.
“Warm temperatures combined with heavy rain will rapidly melt the snowpack in the northern foothills,” he said. The National Weather Service stated:.
“This will increase runoff into streams and rivers. Moderate to heavy rainfall on partially frozen ground could lead to flash flooding and river flooding.”
Flooding is also possible in parts of Ohio and Indiana, and the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch through Friday morning.
“Flooding remains possible due to excessive rainfall.” national weather bureau Said.
“We’ve already had 0.5 to 1 inch of rain, and another 0.5 to 1 inch of rain is expected between today and Friday morning.”
Coastal flood warnings have also been issued up and down the East Coast, from the mid-Atlantic Carolinas to Massachusetts in New England.
The combination of strong onshore winds and astronomical storm surge threatens to flood coastal areas.
Coastal flood warnings have been issued for several Maryland counties, including cities such as Ocean City and Salisbury, with coastal areas potentially seeing up to 2 feet of water.
“Widespread flooding in vulnerable areas will increase the threat of property damage to homes and businesses near waterfronts and coastlines.” The National Weather Service stated:.
If that happens, authorities could close numerous roads and threaten structures. Flooding is expected to spread inland from the water’s edge along tidal rivers and bays, causing more road closures and possibly submerging vehicles.
Coastal flood warnings also extend to northern Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, and western New Jersey.
