Storm to bring needed rainfall to northeastern US early next week

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist

Updated Oct. 5, 2019 2:12 PM

Soaking rainfall will spread through the northeastern United States as the new week begins, which will help to ease the unusually dry conditions that have expanded in recent weeks.

While the weekend will start on a nice note after a frosty Saturday morning, clouds and showers are forecast to move in on Sunday as a storm approaches from the west.

“Locally heavy rainfall is expected along this storm from Sunday night through Monday night from the Ohio and Tennessee valleys through the interior Northeast,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.

The steadiest rain will hold off until later Monday along the Northeast’s Interstate-95 corridor.

Conditions ranging from abnormally dry to severe drought are occurring across 51 percent of the Northeastern states, according to the latest outlook issued by the U.S. Drought Monitor. At the start of July, zero percent of the region was enduring such conditions.

Rainfall can average 1-2 inches during the upcoming storm, according to Roys.

While this rain will help to water the dry ground and fill up low creeks and streams, it can also create slowdowns for motorists on the roadways. This includes stretches of interstates 70, 80, 81, 90 and 95.

Where leaves have fallen onto secondary roadways, the pavement can become extra slippery during the wet weather, creating a greater hazard for motorists.

Delays can occur as the wet weather passes over the major airport hubs.

Stay up-to-date on when rain could impact your travel plans by downloading the free AccuWeather app.

Flash flooding concerns will be low for this event given the prior dry conditions. Still, pooling of water can occur in low-lying and poor drainage areas.

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A brief surge of warmth will precede the wet weather in areas closer to the coast, but highs will fall well short of the record levels that were achieved at the start of October.

Beyond Monday night, AccuWeather meteorologists are monitoring the potential for a new storm to develop and stall for a time off the Northeast coast, leading to an extended period of cloudy, rainy weather.

Only if a strong push of dry air follows the initial storm would the region experience the return of an extended dry stretch during the middle and latter half of next week.

Keep checking back for updates on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.