Torrential rain from a line of thunderstorms moving across the Lehigh Valley on Thursday evening prompted a flood warning for the region.
The warning was issued for Lehigh and Northampton counties through early Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
By around 10:30 p.m. Thursday, between 1 and 3 inches of rain had fallen throughout the two counties, according to the weather service. An additional 1-2 inches of rain was possible as additional thunderstorms moved across the region.
Flooding was occurring or expected to begin shortly along some creeks and streams, as well as in low-lying and poor-drainage areas, the weather service warned.
Photos taken by a freelance photographer showed street flooding in front of Easton Area High School at 25th Street and William Penn Highway in Palmer Township, as well as at the intersection of Easton Avenue and Santee Road in Bethlehem Township, a usual trouble spot.
The Lehigh Valley wasn’t the only region impacted by the storms Thursday evening. In the Philadelphia area, a line of storms brought lightning that prompted an hour-long weather delay of the NFL season opener between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field.
With the storms out of the way, Friday is shaping up to be much nicer — and warmer. Some lingering clouds in the morning will give way to clear skies, with a high temperature of around 85, according to the weather service forecast.
However, rain returns to the forecast Saturday, with an 80% chance of precipitation expected. There’s even a chance of a thunderstorm.
Here is the extended National Weather Service forecast:
Friday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 85. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers before 11am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. High near 85. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 11pm, then showers likely. Low around 59. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Sunday: A chance of showers before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48.
