Pennsylvania Nor'easter: Flood, Wind Watches Ahead Of Big Storm

It's officially March, and the old saying "in like a lion, out like a lamb" is about to become an unfortunate reality for us here in Pennsylvania. The strongest storm since January's 'bomb cyclone' is heading towards the region, and forecasters are warning of flooding, travel impacts and power outages.

The nor'easter storm, which forecasters have been warning about since the beginning of the week, will bring heavy rain, wind and even some snow mixed in. The National Weather Service announced both a Flood Watch and a High Wind Watch in advance.

The Flood Watch goes from 1 a.m. Friday morning to 6 a.m. Saturday morning. The 24-hour High Wind Watch goes from 7 a.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday. Expect gusts of up to 60 mph and sustained winds of 40 mph.

IMPACTS:

• Heavy rain
• Snow possible Friday night
• Snow and high winds could cause localized whiteout conditions Friday night
• Travel may become difficult
• High winds (60 mph gusts, 40 mph sustained)
• Widespread power outages possible
• Flooding possible

TIMING

• Thursday: Rain will begin in the afternoon, sometime around 3 p.m. It will get heavier as the evening goes along.
• Friday: Rain continues, with the winds picking up mid-morning. Rain could possibly mix with snow. It tapers off late Friday, but the winds continue.
• Saturday: Winds continue overnight but begin to die down by morning.

"Rain is expected to develop this afternoon and persist through all of Friday and maybe into Friday night," the NWS said in its Flood Watch statement released Thursday morning. The rain is forecast to change to snow on Friday in areas to the northwest of the I-95 corridor. The heaviest precipitation is expected across the northern half of New Jersey and east-central Pennsylvania."

The possible snow Friday night combined with the wind may produce localized whiteout conditions and travel may become very difficult as a result, the NWS said.

Winds could be "damaging" and blow down trees and power lines. "Numerous power outages are possible," the High Wind Watch said. Residents should prepare in advance for such circumstances.

We're setting our sights on March 30, and hoping Mother Nature delivers us a very lamb-y day in return.

Here is the local forecast:

Today: Rain likely, mainly after 5 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight: Rain. Low around 41. East wind 7 to 9 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Friday: Rain. High near 42. Breezy, with a northwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 49 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday Night: A chance of rain showers before midnight, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 37. Breezy, with a north wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 47. North wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31

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