Potential Hurricane Developing In Atlantic Could Impact PA: Forecast

A powerful storm is developing in the Atlantic Ocean this week that could turn into a hurricane and slam into the greater Philadelphia region, forecasters warn.

The greatest impacts will likely be focused on the coastal regions, but most of southeastern Pennsylvania is within an area predicted to be impacted by the storm, Accuweather said.

The front is currently considered a tropical storm, but officials warn that it could develop enough strength to become classified as a hurricane. As the storm moves from the warmer waters in the south to the colder northeastern coast, it could broaden and cool and become a nor'easter, a storm classification usually reserved for the winter.

"The storm will form just off the Georgia coast late this week and move northward this weekend to next week," Accuweather Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. "As the storm drifts to the north, it will grow stronger each day."

The storm is likely to arrive in the Philadelphia area late Saturday night, with the most significant impacts occurring early Sunday into late Monday, forecasters said.

For the Philly area, that likely means heavy rain and strong wind, though the exact amount of rainfall will be dependent upon the way the storm develops over the coming days.

"Rainfall amounts may be excessive enough to result in areas of flooding, especially in urban areas," the National Weather Service's Mt. Holly, New Jersey branch said.

Forecasters cited a 23 percent chance of winds surpassing 45 miles per hour hitting southeastern Pennsylvania. The National Weather Service currently predicts less than an inch of rain for the Philly area all told, though Accuweather says it could be as much as two inches, with parts of New Jersey getting up to four inches.

The coastal areas along the Jersey Shore will see the most severe impacts, with tides rising 1 to 3 inches above normal, and storm surges of up to 6 feet possible, forecasters said.

"In a worst-case scenario, the storm could evolve to hurricane strength and turn inland over the mid-Atlantic with a zone where a significant storm surge, high winds and heavy rain occur just to the north of the center," Accuweather added.

See the full forecast for the coming week below, according to the National Weather Service:

Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 64. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night
Clear, with a low around 43. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday
A chance of showers after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 69. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Saturday Night
Showers likely, mainly after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Sunday
Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Sunday Night
Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Monday Night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Monday Night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.