Rain causes more MLB postponements in northeastern US

A storm with rain and spotty thunderstorms will spin slowly northward this week.

Off-and-on rain is in store for most locations across the Northeast during the middle part of this week.

The steadiest rain is likely during the first part of the storm, when gusty winds are likely to accompany a chilly flow of air off the Atlantic Ocean. Enough of an onshore flow may occur to cause minor flooding at times of high tide in flood-prone coastal locations.

A few locally heavy, gusty thunderstorms may occur in parts of the Chesapeake Bay region and perhaps in Delaware and southern New Jersey.

The storm will affect everything from road and airline travel and construction projects to outdoor recess at schools, after-school practice, outdoor lunch plans and baseball games.

As of Tuesday, April 24, there have been 28 MLB games postponed so far this season due to rain and snow. This sets a new record for the number of MLB game postponements through April, breaking the previous record of 25 games set during the 2007 season and most recently following Sunday's postponed game at Atlanta.

The Detroit Tigers have had the most postponements so far with seven games. Four other teams have had four games postponed: The Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees.

The Tigers and Pirates had their game on Tuesday, April 24 postponed due to rain.

A game scheduled in Baltimore between the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays on the same day was also postponed. The game will be part of a doubleheader on Saturday, May 12.

Postponements from Ohio to Pennsylvania and Maryland are less likely on Wednesday night as the steadiest rain will have ended. However, some delays due to lingering showers are still possible, including at the Bronx.

Into Wednesday evening, the steadiest rain will soak New England. The combination of melting snow, rain and mild air may lead to stream flooding in parts of northern New England.

Enough rain may fall at a fast enough pace to lead to street and poor drainage area flooding. This is mostly likely where winter debris in gutters and catch basins has not yet been removed by cleanup crews.

Motorists should allow extra time for their commutes. Pedestrians will need an umbrella and a pair of waterproof shoes to get around.

Airline passengers should anticipate minor delays related to a low cloud ceiling, turbulence and locally heavy rain.

Rainfall and moisture in the air from the storm will diminish the risk of wildfires in the region.

April to early May is notorious for brush fires since the air is often dry, temperatures climb and dead winter brush is plentiful.

Rainfall from this storm should help to spur a surge in green-up of vegetation.

"A second storm may bring another round of rain at the end the week in the mid-Atlantic region," according to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Elliot Abrams.

The next widespread stretch of dry weather is likely to begin this weekend and last into the first part of next week.

A significant warm-up with 70- and 80-degree Fahrenheit temperatures will accompany the dry weather.

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