Heavy Rain Thursday Could Lead to Flooding: Forecasters

If you have outdoor plans Thursday evening, Mother Nature could throw a wet blanket on them. That’s because heavy rain is in the forecast.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas for Thursday afternoon through late Thursday night, when it says showers and thunderstorms could dump 2 to 4 inches of rain in parts of the region.

“Rainfall rates may exceed 2 inches per hour,” a NWS statement said.

Meteorologists added that the location where the greatest threat for flash flooding exists will “depend on the placement and timing of a frontal boundary.”

A flood watch means that flooding is possible. A flash flood warning is issued when flooding is imminent or already occurring.

According to PennDOT, in addition to danger, “anyone who drives around barriers intended to close a road can face increased penalties and fines up to $500 if emergency responders are called to rescue motorists who disregard traffic control signs.”

“When heavy rain is in the forecast, motorists should be alert for potential flooding on roadways and in low-lying areas,” officials said in a news release issued Wednesday. “Drivers should always obey warning signs and traffic control devices, and never drive through flooding or standing water on roads.”

The flood watch includes Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon and Monroe counties in Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey.

Thursday’s rain will bring relief from the second heat wave the Lehigh Valley has experienced so far this summer.

Highs reached the low to mid 90s Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with heat indexes near 100 degrees.

Thursday’s high will be in the low 80s, and Friday could feel frigid by comparison, with a forecast high of only 70 degrees.