Flood watch, T-storms, near-record high

Pennsylvania is under a flood watch from noon to late tonight as another round of rain approaches with possible thunderstorms.

The threat is less in South Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, although overnight gusts could top 40 m.p.h., as a cold front moves into the region, according to the National Weather Service.

The first round of rain also brought thunder that rudely awakened sleepers overnight. Hail reportedly fell in Radnor.

An inch or more of rain could fall today in eastern Pennsylvania, and if thunderstorms develop, some flooding is likely in low-lying areas or where drainage is poor, according to the service's flood watch. Smaller river, creeks and streams could overflow as well.

On the bright side, the region should be spared the worst of a system blanketing most of the eastern half of the United States, with tornado watches from Alabama to Kentucky to Washington, D.C., and even Baltimore.

Also, no snow or freezing rain is expected anywhere in the Philadelphia region, as highs could threaten records. Philadelphia's for this date is 68, set in 1976.

Temperatures will drop overnight, with lows at or a little below freezing for the next few days, with highs ranging from the mid 40s to the mid 50s into the weekend.

Skies are likely to be dry the rest of the workweek, but the weekend could be wet, with a chance of rain from Friday night to Monday.

For more on the forecast, go to http://go.philly.com/weather.