Allentown weather: Rain possible Sunday after extended dry period in the Lehigh Valley

The Lehigh Valley could get some much-needed rain this weekend.

The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey, said there is an 80% chance of showers Sunday night in what could be the first widespread measurable rainfall in some time.

With just .02 inches of rain, October was the driest month on record for the area.

The U.S. Drought Monitor, which tracks and displays drought conditions throughout the country, showed both Lehigh and Northampton counties under drought conditions. In its weekly drought report Thursday, the entirety of Lehigh County as well as western and southern Northampton County have "severe drought" conditions.

The remaining portion of Northampton County is under "moderate drought" conditions. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection placed Lehigh and Northampton counties under a drought watch last week.

Forecasters with the local weather service office noted that the expected rain will not put any "meaningful dent" in the drought, but could bring up to half an inch of rain to the area.

It rained twice last month, and each of those days only brought .01 inches of rain to the area. The last time there was half an inch or more in a single day was in mid-August.

Outside of the rain expected Sunday, temperatures will drop over the next few days. A record-breaking high of 79 was recorded Wednesday in Allentown, according to the weather service. The previous record for Nov. 6 was 78 degrees, set in 1948.

Highs in the mid-70s are expected Thursday. Forecasters said highs will be in the 60s and then 50s through Monday.

Here is the extended forecast from the National Weather Service:

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 67. West wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 58. North wind around 5 mph.

Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Sunday: A chance of showers after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday night: Showers, mainly before 1 a.m. Low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.

Monday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62

Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37.