Rounds of rain to frequent northeastern US through first week of May

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

May 2,2016; 7:42PM,EDT

 

Dry days will be hard to come by in the northeastern United States for the first week of May as storm systems bring frequent rain to the region.
The bouts of wet weather through the first half of the week will come due to storm systems tracking in from the southwest.

Another system dropping down from Canada will keep the region unsettled later in the week.
While rain will dominate the week, widespread flooding is not expected.
However, there can be localized incidents of flash and urban flooding. The greatest risk will exist into early Tuesday morning from portions of Virginia and West Virginia to Maryland, Delaware, southern New Jersey and perhaps part of southern Pennsylvania.

"The terrain in parts of the Appalachians makes the region prone to rapid flooding in situations such as this," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski. "Also, abnormally dry conditions have no bearing on heavily paved areas, where a sudden downpour can quickly overwhelm storm drains and lead to flooded streets."
The rain will cause disruptions to some sporting events and other outdoor plans. Baseball fans headed to the upcoming games in New York City, Pittsburgh and Baltimore may encounter delays.
Residents will have to take advantage of the occasional breaks in the rain to squeeze in these activities, such as cutting grass.
Amid the wet weather in the Northeast this week, travelers on the roadways and at airports may encounter minor delays.
Occasional downpours will reduce visibility and increase the risk of vehicles hydroplaning when traveling at highway speeds.
"The [late-week] system will slowly meander through the region, and while it will not be raining all of the time, sunshine will be limited and showers are a threat," AccuWeather Meteorologist Ed Vallee said.
In addition to potentially disrupting more outdoor plans, the showers could put a damper on Cinco de Mayo festivities on Thursday.
The rain will not be entirely bad news for the Northeast. Rainfall deficits will continue to shrink.
"Some streams will recover from their low levels," Sosnowski said. "The moist ground will allow a thorough green-up of the landscape, which should ease brush fire concerns."
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Many areas from Virginia to southeastern New York and southwestern New England received only about 50 percent or less of their average rainfall from March 1 to April 30.
Pollen levels will be lowered on persistently rainy days.
The bouts of rain, along with fresh, cool air being brought down by the late-week system, will hold temperatures near to slightly below normal for most of the week.
The air is not expected to get cold enough for frost. However, it is not out of the question for wet snow to fall in the higher terrain of the central Appalachians with the late-week system.
"By the end of the week and into the next weekend, an approaching front will push the [late-week] system east, ushering in warmer air by the following week," Vallee said.