12:40 PM | ****Coastal flooding a big concern in the Mid-Atlantic region with next storm as there will be an extended period of strong E-SE winds****
Paul Dorian
Indications are the Delaware River could crest at nearly 10 feet tomorrow night which is above the flood stage of 8.2 feet and 9th highest on record. Map courtesy NOAA
Overview
The next storm for the Mid-Atlantic region will arrive on Friday and this system will bring another soaking rainfall and strong E-SE winds for an extended period of time. As a result of the expected long and strong onshore flow of air with this next storm, coastal flooding is a big concern in all susceptible areas of the Mid-Atlantic.
Strong E-SE winds will buffet the Mid-Atlantic region on Friday and Friday night and this extended period of onshore flow will increase the chances for some serious coastal flooding. Map courtesy NOAA, tropicaltidbits.com
Details
The upper-level low associated with the early week storm along the west coast and yesterday’s severe weather outbreak in the Deep South is sliding to the east today and it will impact the Mid-Atlantic on Friday. By tomorrow morning, low pressure will be approaching the Mid-Atlantic region from the southwest and rain will slowly overspread the area from southwest-to-northeast. The possibility exists for 1-3 inches of rain from this system with isolated higher amounts and given the already pretty well saturated grounds, flash flood watches may have to be issued throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
Strong upper-level low will push into the eastern US during the next 12-24 hours contributing to a lot of wind and rain for the Mid-Atlantic region on Friday and Friday night. Map courtesy NOAA, tropicaltidbits.com
Winds may actually turn out to be a bigger factor during this storm than the rain as they will intensify from the east-to-southeast and could gust into the 40-50 mph range by later in the day and again tomorrow night. This onshore flow of air will take place over an extended period of time and this could set the stage for some serious coastal flooding in the normally susceptible areas. The high tide that occurs tomorrow night may be the biggest threat of all to coastal regions as it will follow several hours of strong E-SE flow. In Philadelphia, as an example, there are indications that the Delaware River could crest at nearly 10 feet around 9pm on Friday night (flood stage is 8.2 feet). This would be the ninth highest crest on record at this particular location (US Coast Guard station). In the low-lying areas of the DC metro region, water levels could get two to four feet above ground level at times of high tide with some locales specifically at risk to include Annapolis (MD), Alexandria (VA) and St. George Island (MD). Residents in all vulnerable locations of the Mid-Atlantic region should closely monitor the local coastal flooding situation on Friday and Friday night - especially at times of high tide.
Meteorologist Paul Dorian
King of Prussia, PA