Severe weather with heavy rain and wind gusts up to 50 mph may disrupt power and travel in the Philadelphia area.

The first significant snowfall of the season may vanish quickly, giving way to heavy rainfall and winds forecasted to reach gusts of 50 mph. The National Weather Service has issued a 24-hour high wind advisory for the region, effective from 1 a.m. Friday morning, forewarning of potential commuting difficulties.

Meteorologists predict that the heaviest rainfall will occur during the early morning hours into mid-morning. As Paul Fitzsimmons, a lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly office, noted, the conditions could create challenges for drivers, including road ponding and urban flooding. This is particularly concerning given that the melting snow combined with rainfall is expected to saturate the local soils.

Delaware Valley’s Regional Rail lines operated by SEPTA are on alert for possible disruptions arising from uprooted trees. According to Andrew Busch, SEPTA’s media relations director, the current weather presents a high potential for complications, prompting the agency to deploy crews across the rail system for prompt responses.

Utility provider Peco stated that while they are not anticipating serious disruptions, they are maintaining vigilance over changing conditions. The current state of deciduous trees, which are mostly bare, allows winds to penetrate more easily through their branches, potentially increasing the risk of power outages. Candice Womer, a senior communications specialist at Peco, noted the importance of monitoring wind shifts, which could place additional stress on vulnerable trees.

The heaviest rains are expected between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., coinciding with a strong cold front that could create damaging winds. Fitzsimmons explained that while wind gusts may be localized in the morning, the overall strong winds will emerge in the afternoon, peaking during the busy commute times later that day. Predictions indicate that rainfall amounts in the Philadelphia area may range from 1 to 1.5 inches, but no stream flooding is anticipated, as current water levels remain quite low.

Additionally, the driest conditions recorded in recent months have led to a drought warning across New Jersey, with the U.S. Drought Monitor indicating that areas within Philadelphia and surrounding regions are classified as experiencing “severe drought” conditions.

Looking ahead to the weekend, forecasters expect a dry but chilly atmosphere to prevail after the winds subside Friday evening. Temperatures are projected to plummet from the 50s in the morning to the 30s by nightfall, with highs remaining in the 30s on Saturday. Sunday is expected to see a modest rise in temperature, hitting mid-40s for the day, which is close to the seasonal norm. As for Christmas, the likelihood of a snowy holiday appears slim, with rain anticipated on December 25th, diverging from traditional expectations of a white Christmas.

In light of recent weather events and notable temperature fluctuations, residents are advised to stay attuned to updates and alerts issued by the National Weather Service and local utility providers as the winter season unfolds.

Source: Media News Source