Pre-Thanksgiving Storm Timeline Updated: What It Means For PA

Pre-Thanksgiving Storm Timeline Updated: What It Means For PA Heavy rainfall, flash flooding, high winds, and coastal flooding are possible as travelers hit the road and air ahead of Thanksgiving.

When should you hit the road for Thanksgiving travel? Let's take a look: (Shutterstock)

PENNSYLVANIA — A storm system packing heavy rain and high winds is expected to hit Pennsylvania and impact holiday travel on Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of Thanksgiving. So when should you hit the road? Let's take a look.

Widespread rainfall of 1 to 3 inches is expected to move into the area on Tuesday afternoon with the heaviest to fall mainly during the overnight hours into Wednesday morning, according to US National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly (NWS).

Flash flooding is possible, especially in poor drainage areas. There is even a chance for a brief period of snow in the southern Poconos that will change over to rain bringing up to an inch of wet snow accumulation.

This afternoon, winds will pick up hovering around 25 to 35 mph with the highest wind gusts of up to 40 to 45 mph expected overnight into Wednesday morning. Winds are expected to subside by mid-Wednesday morning.

Those along the coastline can expect minor coastal flooding along the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay for the Tuesday night high tide cycle, according to the NWS.

Some minor flooding is also possible along the south shore of the Raritan Bay from Perth Amboy to Sandy Hook.

Currently, there is a Coastal Flood Advisory in effect for the high tide cycle on Tuesday night for the eastern shore of Maryland.

For those planning to hit the water, you may want to wait. A Gale Warning is already in effect for all marine zones for Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Gusts of around 35 to 45 knots are expected on the water and seas on the ocean will be around 5 to 8 feet.

It appears that once this storm system moves through the area things should calm down by Wednesday afternoon just in time for the Thanksgiving parade and festivities. Thanksgiving Day will be much calmer with sunny skies hitting a high near 53.

The weather for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City will be a "solid 7 out of 10" with sunny to partly cloudy conditions, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek said. "A pair of sunglasses may be needed depending on what side of the street you're on."

Here is a look at the upcoming forecast:

Tuesday: Rain, mainly after 2 p.m. High near 48. East wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Rain, mainly before 5 a.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Temperature rising to around 55 by 1 a.m. Breezy, with an east wind 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday: A chance of rain, mainly before 7 a.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 61. West wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Thanksgiving Day: Sunny, with a high near 53. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. .

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here