What's This? Cool, Rainy Friday for Philly, NYC

July 20, 2012; 5:20 AM
Share |

In a summer dominated by record heat and dry weather, today may feel a bit out of the ordinary for millions of Northeasterners.

Lower temperatures and much-needed rain will persist through tonight from upstate New York through the northern mid-Atlantic, including in Philadelphia, New York and Hartford.

Rainfall of 1 to 2 inches will be possible in some areas, providing some short-term relief to dry ground and low reservoirs.

We would normally call this a dreary day, but with many having grown tired of the heat and lack of rain, it may turn out to be just what the doctor ordered.

A wave of low pressure riding along a slow-moving front will be the catalyst for today's rain, which will come via slow-moving showers and even thunderstorms.

The threat for severe thunderstorms with hail and damaging winds will be confined to the south of the front, from the D.C. and Baltimore area to the Deep South.

While a steadier, soaking rain is expected over the northern tier of Pennsylvania and upstate New York to the New York City metro area, thunderstorms with downpours will enhance the flash flooding risk farther south along the I-95 corridor west to southern Pennsylvania.

Highways as well as low-lying and poor drainage areas will be most susceptible to flooding. Never, ever drive through areas covered by standing or moving water.

Some rain will tend to persist into Saturday, especially across the lower mid-Atlantic, including in Washington and Baltimore.

Unfortunately for those with weekend plans, clouds will linger even longer into early Sunday.

Comments

Comments left here should adhere to the AccuWeather.com Community Guidelines. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.

More Weather News

Daily U.S. Extremes

past 24 hours

  Extreme Location
High N/A
Low N/A
Precip N/A

WeatherWhys®

This Day In Weather History

Buffalo, NY (1986)
3.41 inches of rain -- a 24-hour record for May.

Pakistan (2007)
Sibi, in the northwest, had a high of 115 with a dewpoint of 90. The RealFeel was 150 degrees.

Mapleton, MN (2007)
5.80 inches of rain fell in 3.5 hours. Side streets were flooded and a few cars were stalled in the water.

Rough Weather