Flood watch issued for next storm

After some areas of southeastern Pennsylvania saw the first snowfall of the season, the next storm will bring a different threat: rain, and plenty of it.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the entire region from the 1 p.m. Tuesday until 6 p.m. Wednesday. Between 2 and 3 inches of rain is possible in most areas over that period, but some isolated spots could see up to 4 inches, according to the watch.

Increasing the overall risk for flooding are recent heavy rainfalls — some of which also caused flooding — that have kept the ground saturated. Higher rainfall rates Tuesday night into early Wednesday could also contribute to flash flooding in urban areas, according to the weather service.

Melting snow from this weekend’s storm in some areas could also contribute to the flooding threat. While much of the region had little to no snow, areas to the north and west saw higher amounts. Parts of the Lehigh Valley and Poconos saw as much as a foot of snow.

All of the runoff could result in flooding of rivers, creeks and other low-lying areas, according to the weather service.

A map issued by the weather service’s Mount Holly, N.J., office shows all of southeastern Pennsylvania in the area at moderate risk for excessive rainfall from the storm. A moderate risk means there is at least a 40 percent chance of it occurring.

After the storm moves out Wednesday afternoon, the area could see another storm move in Friday into Saturday. As of now, that one is looking to bring mostly rain. The weather service forecast discussion, however, notes that if enough could dry air is in place, areas north and west of the Interstate 95 corridor could see snow or sleet.