Tropical Cyclone Could Impact Philly Region Friday: Forecasters

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA — A potential tropical cyclone forming in the Atlantic Ocean could bring heavy rain and stormy conditions to the Philadelphia region on Friday.

The National Hurricane Center said it is currently monitoring Invest 98L as a potential tropical cyclone. "This low pressure system is currently forecast to track close to the region and could bring heavy rain," according the National Weather Service out of Mount Holly, N.J.

The storm could drop as much as two inches of rain on Friday, forecasters say.

The National Hurricane Center, in its most recent briefing on the weather event, said thunderstorm activity increased overnight off the coast of North Carolina.

"The thunderstorm activity is currently located well east and northeast of the low's center, but only a small increase in organization or a reformation of the center closer to the thunderstorm activity could result in the formation of a tropical or subtropical cyclone later today or tonight," the National Hurricane Center said.

The low is expected to move northeastward or north-northeastward near or just offshore of the Outer Banks later on Thursday and then along the mid-Atlantic coast tonight through Friday night.

"Regardless of development, the system is expected to produce locally heavy rainfall that could cause some flash flooding along the mid-Atlantic region. Gusty winds are also possible.

An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate this system later today, the National Hurricane Center said.

The Weather Channel said the mid-Atlantic coast can expect heavy bands of rain and poor beach conditions, including dangerous rip currents.

Here is the forecast:

Today: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Tonight: Showers likely, mainly after 5 am. The rain could be heavy at times. Increasing clouds, with a low around 73. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 82. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Saturday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday: A chance of showers after 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.

Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.