A soaking rainstorm will continue in portions of the eastern United States today into tomorrow, bringing the threat of flooding from Connecticut south to South Carolina, including the heavily traveled I-95 corridor in the Mid Atlantic. The heaviest rain should fall within 2 hours of midnight tonight.

A cold front continues to move across the Mid Atlantic this afternoon and will slowly make its way across the I-95 corridor  this evening and overnight. Ahead of the front, a couple of short waves or vorticity impulses will continue to move across the region, leading to increasing showers ahead of the main front. As the front approaches, a steadier rainfall will spread across the entire area. As the front makes its way across the Mid Atlantic region, an area of low pressure is expected to develop along the front and move along it to the northeast.  Ingredients will come together to create an environment ripe for heavy rain and heavy rainfall rates over a relatively short period later tonight.

Because it has been so dry in this region in recent weeks, widespread flooding is not a concern. However, the heavy rain will continue to create isolated and localized flooding problems, especially in urban areas or those with poor drainage. The National Weather Service reminds people in this area: “Turn around, don’t drown; never drive through flood waters.”

Due to the heavy rain in the forecast, NASA has postponed a rocket launch that was to lift-off from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. That rocket launch will now launch on Thursday night, October 1.

The rain will exit the east coast from southwest to northeast tomorrow, with fair weather temporarily arriving. However, another disturbance will create more unsettled weather Friday into Saturday for the Mid Atlantic once again.