A developing storm system will bring a steady round of rain to the Delmarva Peninsula late Thursday through Friday, delivering a beneficial soaking rainfall to a region that remains in drought.
Cool, Cloudy Start Thursday
Thursday will begin under mostly cloudy skies as a backdoor cold front settles south of the area. High pressure building over New England will promote a northeast wind, keeping temperatures cooler than recent days.
Highs are expected to run near or slightly below seasonal averages. The combination of low clouds, onshore flow, and increasing moisture may also lead to areas of fog Thursday morning, with pockets of dense fog possible.
Rain Moves In Thursday Evening
Rain is expected to overspread Delmarva Thursday evening as low pressure tracks through the region Thursday night into Friday. While northern Pennsylvania and far northern New Jersey may see some wintry precipitation, temperatures across Delmarva will remain warm enough to support an all-rain event.
The system appears fairly quick-moving but may produce periods of off-and-on rain from Thursday evening through Friday night. Overall, this looks to be a steady soaking rainfall rather than a high-impact storm.
Rainfall Totals and Drought Relief
Current projections suggest rainfall totals ranging from 0.50 to 0.75 inches across much of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Given ongoing drought conditions across the region, this rain will be welcomed. While it won’t erase long-term deficits, it should help improve soil moisture and reduce short-term dryness.
Fog and Low Visibility Possible
As milder, moist air rides over cooler surface air, areas of fog may develop at times, especially late Thursday night into Friday morning. Motorists should be prepared for reduced visibility during periods of heavier rain and fog.
