Philly weather: Expect flooding, high winds, maybe even snow
Flash flood, coastal flooding, and high-wind watches are up throughout the region as nor'easter takes shape. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph are possible.
Whether March will go out like a lamb is impossible for even the smartest computer models to know, but it emphatically is coming in like a lion in the Mid-Atlantic, the Northeast, and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere.
Rain began overspreading the Philadelphia region Thursday afternoon, and meteorologists warned that a roaring nor'easter would strengthen off the coast, become a meteorological "bomb," and bedevil the Philadelphia region, particularly the Jersey Shore, with soaking rains, potent winds Friday into Saturday, and perhaps even snow.
The National Weather Service posted a high-wind warning for the entire region, calling for sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts perhaps approaching 60 mph. With those powerful winds inciting the waves, a coastal-flood warning was in effect for the Shore, with major flooding possible, the weather service said in its storm briefing.
"It's going to be an angry-looking ocean out there," said Tom Kines, a meteorologist at AccuWeather Inc.
Temperatures will be dropping as the storm pulls in cold air on those powerful winds from the north, and several inches of snow is possible in the Poconos. Wet snow could creep as far south as the Philadelphia region before the precipitation winds down Friday night.
Given that last month was one of the wettest Februaries on record, leaving the ground saturated, the weather service has issued a flash-flood watch for most of the area, adding that streams could slosh over and ponding on some roads is likely.
It also has expanded the high-wind watch for the entire region.
"I think anyone is fair game for gusts of over 50," Kines said.
Peco has heard all about it and is gearing up for potential power outages, said spokeswoman Kristina Pappas.
Trees still are leafless, making branches vulnerable to winds, and the wet ground might compromise roots.
"There's a risk of branches coming down," Pappas said.
At the Shore, at least minor flooding is expected Friday. Major coastal flooding is possible with high tide Saturday as, along with the storm, the moon will be full.
The storm is going to take its good old time in its journey out to sea as the strong "blocking" pattern in the atmosphere over the North Atlantic is impeding progress.
For whatever reason, the atmosphere over the Northern Hemisphere is especially riled up these days, with major storms in the Mid-Atlantic, the Western United States, and in Europe — where snow has crowned Rome and the British Isles.
Kines said it was highly unusual to have three such storms cranking at the same time, adding, "I don't know if Mother Nature is angry right now."
We'll see if the lamb shows up at the end of the month.