Tropical Storm Elsa: Flash Floods, Winds Coming To Philly Area

SOUTHEASTERN PA — Tropical Storm Elsa is rapidly approaching the greater Philadelphia area, bringing with it the threat of heavy rain and winds, flash floods, thunderstorms, and more.

A flash flood watch will go into effect for the region starting at 5 p.m., and continuing into the morning hours of Friday, the National Weather Service announced. The first rain is likely to hit the city and surrounding area in the early evening.

"Several instances of flooding are possible, especially in urban and poor-drainage areas and near vulnerable small creeks and streams," NWS said. " Heavy rain in a short period of time may cause streams and creeks to rise quickly out of their banks and there is the potential for flash flooding in urban areas."

The heaviest rain and wind in the region will hit the New Jersey coast, but rainfall of up to one to two inches is still expected in southeastern Pennsylvania. Locally higher amounts of up to three inches are possible.

Hazardous Weather Outlook and Severe Thunderstorm Watch

The National Weather Service also issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the region Thursday, in effect through next Wednesday due to potential flooding.

A severe thunderstorm watch, meanwhile, was issued for parts of Bucks County until 2:30 p.m.:

A severe thunderstorm watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area, according to the service. A severe thunderstorm is by definition a storm that produces one-inch hail or larger in diameter and/or winds equal or exceeds 58 miles an hour. The risk for severe thunderstorms is "limited," but remains present in the area through Thursday night.

Tornadoes Risk 'Limited' in Southeastern PA

As of 11 a.m. on Thursday, the National Weather Service says that conditions are currently "somewhat favorable" for tornadoes, although the threat risk in southeastern Pennsylvanian remains "limited."

"A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions," the National Weather Service said. "Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings."

Here is the latest forecast:

Thursday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 70. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.Friday

Friday

A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 67. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.