Hazardous Weather Outlook Issued As Tropical Storm Cindy Moves Through PA

Downpours and gusty storms are headed toward Pennsylvania as Tropical Storm Cindy is expected to impact the region Friday night into Saturday. Tropical, humid air will set the stage for drenching showers, severe thunderstorms and flooding, according to forecasters.

A hazardous weather outlook has been issued.

The good news however is that the wet weather should clear out by Sunday; sunny skies are expected through early next week.

Some areas could be hit with thunderstorms packing strong wind gusts, according to AccuWeather.

In addition to the locally severe thunderstorm threat, there is the potential for intense downpours that could cause isolated flash and urban flooding, according to AccuWeather.

"As moisture from Tropical Rainstorm Cindy sweeps through, areas from Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia and northern Virginia could have periods of torrential rain from later Friday night to Saturday morning," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek said in an AccuWeather release.

People traveling in these areas should anticipate weather-related delays, forecasters said, even though the storm has been downgraded to tropic storm depression.

"Over the weekend, the remnants of Cindy will combine with a cold front and enhance the rainfall the front might otherwise bring to the Garden State," said Greg Postel, hurricane specialist at The Weather Channel.

Downpours in western Pennsylvania could worsen flooding that began after heavy thunderstorms soaked the area on Thursday afternoon. Over four inches of rain fell locally, which led to dozens of high water rescues and one fatality.

Here is the forecast:

• Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 3pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 10 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Friday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind 11 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 86. West wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
• Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northwest wind around 6 mph.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Light northwest wind becoming west 5 to 9 mph in the morning
• Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.

Patch file photo