The National Weather Service is predicting widespread heavy rainfall this weekend with a possibility of severe thunderstorms.
A flash flood watch takes effect tonight at 6PM and lasts through 6AM on Sunday for most of our listening area.
The NWS is predicting heavy rainfall Friday evening after 10PM with wind gusts upwards of 20 miles per hour.
The heaviest rainfall is predicted for Saturday with 2 to 4 inches expected along with a chance of severe thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening with wind gusts near 30 miles-per-hour.
Saturated ground from recent snow melt could result in local flooding. Forecasters says to be on the lookout for waters in small streams, ditches and creeks rising over their banks.
Gusty winds during thunderstorms could bring down trees and an isolated tornado can't be ruled out.
Sunday will be partly sunny with a high near 57 degrees. A cold front moving through in the evening will drop temperatures back under freezing Sunday night.
NWS Meteorologist Chris Noles says although the weekend looks wet, the weather should let up for most of Christmas week.
“There could be a system the day after Christmas, but up through Christmas it looks dry and colder," said Noles. "Obviously, we’re going to have a little mild spell here until the front comes through Sunday and then it will turn colder back to what we’ve been seeing last couple of weeks.”
Isolated thunderstorms may develop late Saturday afternoon and evening over much of the listening area. Noles says it’s too early to rule out the limited chance of tornadoes.
