Strong storms and downpours Monday could affect Philly’s next World Cup match

After 10 months of precipitation deficits, the region is expected to experience severe storms and much-needed rain on Monday — unfortunately, the worst might coincide with the timing of the France vs. Iraq World Cup match in South Philly.

The strongest could arrive around the scheduled start of the match, at 5 p.m., said Brian Hurley, senior branch meteorologist with the federal Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Md.

Given how daytime heating can add volatility to the atmosphere, with severe-thunderstorm threats in the Mid-Atlantic region, he said, in the late afternoon “we’re always asking for it.”

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., which issues those severe storm watches, listed a 2% chance of tornadoes, and an “isolated” twister can’t be ruled out, said Nick Guzzo, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Mount Holly.

The storm center listed a 15% chance of damaging straight-line winds with gusts approaching 60 mph.

With the anticipated moisture capacity of the atmosphere on Monday, localized downpours that could wring up to 2 inches of rain in a hurry could set off localized flooding.

“Not everyone will get them,” said Hurley.

He said a round of heavy showers is likely in the late afternoon or early evening, and then it’s possible that rains will shut off, with even an outside shot at a rainbow.

But more rain is likely later at night and during the overnight hours.

Overall, forecasters said, just about every area of the region should get a half-inch of rain.

Officially, Philadelphia has had 10 consecutive months of below-normal precipitation. All of New Jersey and Chester County are under state-declared “drought emergencies,” although conditions have been improving.

Most of the rest of the region is in “moderate drought,” according to the interagency U.S. Drought Monitor.

On the plus side, no more extreme heat is in the forecast, with highs topping out in the 80s through next Sunday.