Coastal storm to soak part of northeastern US
A coastal storm full of tropical moisture is poised to unload drenching rain and trigger gusty winds in southern New England and along part of the mid-Atlantic coast, AccuWeather meteorologists say.
The storm will arrive following a spectacular start to the autumn weekend. For people living along or venturing to the mid-Atlantic coast and southern New England, Saturday was easily the better of the two weekend days for outdoor plans.
Conditions will start to deteriorate on Sunday, but how wet and stormy the weather becomes will depend on the location and track of a low pressure area that AccuWeather meteorologists have been monitoring for days.
Regardless of whether or not the storm acquires enough characteristics to be dubbed a tropical or subtropical storm, it is likely to bring weather conditions and impacts similar to such a storm in part of the Northeast, forecasters say.
"The storm will be far from a powerhouse, but it can take advantage of the difference from high pressure over the interior Northeast and low pressure over the Atlantic," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek said. "In this case, a stiffening wind can harness the Atlantic moisture and some tropical moisture that originated from as far away as the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific and help squeeze out locally heavy rainfall."
The heaviest and steadiest rain is likely to fall on southeastern New England and eastern Long Island, New York. These areas will get needed drought relief but may also experience localized flash flooding.
A general 0.50-1.00 inch of rain is anticipated in most areas, but the areas with the heaviest rain could see several inches. Leaves on the ground could cause drains to become blocked and lead to roads and sidewalks becoming extra slick, forecasters warn.
Localized flooding is a concern across the region, especially in low-lying areas. However, overall this rain will come as a benefit. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, portions of the Hudson Valley of New York and southern New England are still experiencing drought.
The onshore flow from the storm could be a concern for coastal locations, where water levels could rise to 1-2 feet above normal levels into Monday.
These same areas in New England and on Long Island are also most likely to have some issues due to coastal flooding at times of high tide and perhaps beach erosion. Astronomical tides will be slightly elevated with the combined effects of the storm and the new moon next week. Wind gusts may even become strong enough to lead to sporadic power outages.
Northeasterly breezes will push some Atlantic Ocean water westward toward the shoreline and into the back bays. As a result, minor coastal flooding at times of high tide can occur from North Carolina to the New York City area.
Some pockets of rain are likely to extend as far to the west as New York City and much of the New Jersey Coast through Sunday, before rain lingers in New England on Monday.
The rain will also help to suppress temperatures. Following highs well into the 60s to the lower 70s F into Saturday, temperatures may be no higher than the 50s during the time when rain is falling Sunday and Monday in New England.
Chilly rain could be a factor in baseball and football games across the region. There is a chance that rain could affect both Major League Baseball championship series in Philadelphia and New York City on Sunday. Both cities may be near the edge of the steadiest rain to the southeast and much more spotty rain to the northwest.
Most of the remain will stay close to the Atlantic Coast Sunday, but a shower is still possible for Sunday's NFL games in Maryland between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns and the Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders. Rain could linger into Monday night at Foxboro, Massachusetts, when the New England Patriots host the Chicago Bears.
Once clouds and rain move into the mid-Atlantic and New England regions, they may not be in a hurry to leave.
"It is possible the moisture may have to wait until a cool front sweeps through from a storm that brews over the southern Plains from Tuesday to Wednesday," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bill Deger said. In the meantime, a storm will bring a wave of snow across the Rockies into Monday.
Looking farther ahead, the tropical weather pattern on the Atlantic coast could be repeated prior to the end of the month, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva. However, rain from any tropical system may not necessarily reach as far north as the Northeastern states.
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