The National Weather Service said Monday, Sept. 21, that low pressure developing offshore could bring gusty winds and repeated tidal flooding this week. Its Mount Holly office cautioned that the storm’s track will determine how much rain reaches the region.
Rain chances across the Philadelphia region and New Jersey are highest Monday night into Tuesday, Sept. 22. Showers could ease Wednesday, Sept. 23, and Thursday, Sept. 24, even as coastal winds strengthen.
Minor tidal flooding could begin Tuesday afternoon or evening along parts of the Jersey Shore. NWS forecasters are more confident in flooding Wednesday and Thursday, when moderate flooding is possible. Back bays could experience some of the worst effects.
Persistent onshore winds, combined with rising astronomical tides ahead of the full moon Saturday, Sept. 26, could compound the flooding threat.
The rain and wind outlook becomes much less certain Friday, Sept. 25, into the weekend, the weather service said. Temperatures across its forecast area will generally struggle to climb out of the 60s starting Tuesday.
AccuWeather’s forecast graphics show why the track matters: A storm closer to shore could spread significant rain and wind north toward New York and New England. A farther-offshore track would leave coastal areas windy but with little rainfall.
Its coastal outlook highlights gusts of 30 to 40 mph, rough surf, beach erosion, and coastal flooding from Virginia and Maryland north toward Long Island and southeastern Massachusetts.
"The rain could extend far enough north to ease the ongoing drought in Maine," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill. "Regardless of how close to the coast the storm tracks, it has the potential to become strong enough to bring rain and gusty winds in coastal areas, while prolonged rough surf may cause above-normal tides and beach erosion."
AccuWeather also projects temperatures 5 to 15 degrees below average across a broad stretch of the Northeast from Tuesday through Friday.
The fall equinox arrives on Tuesday at 8:04 p.m. Eastern time, marking the start of fall.
Check back to Daily Voice for the latest updates.
Click here to follow Daily Voice and receive free news updates.
