Deluge Hitting Mid-Atlantic

Garden State Has Been Spared The Heaviest Rain So Far While North Carolina And Pennsylvania Getting Clocked

Good afternoon everyone. Well another big storm is moving up the East Coast of the United States. A coastal low is forming off the Carolinas, and is headed this way. A Flood Watch and Wind Advisory are already in effect for the Garden State as well as many other locations in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. The low, which is getting energy from an upper level low in the Ohio Valley, and tremendous tropical moisture from the tropics thanks to the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole.

So far in South Plainfield, New Jersey, there has been 1.64 inches of rain, which is higher than some of the monthly rain totals we have seen in recent months. Over an inch and a half of that fell in less than three hours this morning. However, it pales in comparison to the rainfall being experienced over much of Pennsylvania. The Keystone State is just about completely covered with moderate to heavy precipitation. Meanwhile, farther south in Wilmington, North Carolina, the rainfall amounts are reaching record levels. According to information from local television stations there, the city has broken the three day rainfall total of 19.06 inches set between September 15-17, 1999 when Hurricane Floyd paid a visit. The four day total is now over 20 inches, and Wilmington could set a record for the month of September, also set in 1999.

Right now, the skies are cloudy here in Central Jersey as we have a break in the action, but things should pick up again during the course of the afternoon as the low moves up the coast. Radar from the Northeast courtesy of the Weather Channel has much of the precipitation off to our west. However, as the low begins to move up the coast, and eventually turn out to sea, the rain is expected to return along with gusty winds. Winds are expected to be between 25 and 35 miles per hour with gusts up to 45 miles per hour, particularly along the coast.

Winds aloft are expected to mix down to the surface, especially during thunderstorms, and that will create the gusty winds expected. Some areas along the East Coast could experience isolated tornadoes as well. There is already a Tornado Watch in effect for parts of the Mid-Atlantic from Southern New Jersey, through the Delmarva Peninsula, into Eastern Virginia, and North Carolina. This could end up being one memorable storm if things shake out like they are forecast to. Temperatures have held in the mid 70s throughout the morning with 100 percent humidity meaning that the dew points are in the mid 70s. We have some very tropical air in place while behind the storm, we are expected to have the coldest weather of the season yet. So, the ingredients are there. It just needs something to bring it all together.