Isaias Rain and Wind to Reach the Northeast by Sunday

Although the worst of Isaias' wrath will focus on the Gulf Coast south of Interstate 20, the remnants of the storm will be felt throughout the weekend as far as the Ohio Valley, the Appalachians, and the Northeast. Read on for the details about what to expect over the next few days as Isaias makes its move.

Isaias Will Track Into Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast Throughout the Weekend

After making landfall along the Gulf Coast, Hurricane Isaias will continue through the heart of the eastern U.S. as the weekend progresses. The fast movement of the storm will be a double-edged sword. While the speed will limit rainfall totals over one area, it will also allow the high winds to expand well inland over much of Alabama, western Georgia, eastern Mississippi, and portions of Tennessee on Saturday.

Forecasters are predicting that the most powerful winds will fire up near and southeast of the center of the storm. The severe thunderstorms coming along for the ride will also support the development of tornadoes in the southeastern U.S. over the next day or two. The gusty conditions will raise the threat of downed trees and power lines, resulting in widespread power outages.

The latest forecast models signal that winds will eclipse 40 mph in areas well away from landfall. Winds of this magnitude are in the forecast for a large swath of Tennessee, southern Kentucky, western North Carolina and Virginia, the top elevations of West Virginia, western Maryland, and up into south-central Pennsylvania.

A secondary pocket of strong winds will ignite along the immediate coastal portion of the southern and mid-Atlantic regions. In addition to the threat of power outages, these winds will also translate to above-normal tides and minor to moderate coastal flooding from northeastern Florida to the north into Delaware and southern New Jersey. Meteorologists are offering hope that this flooding event will not be as significant as what this region experienced a few weeks ago during the late September nor'easter.

Heavy rain capable of flooding will also be a concern as the storm pulls away from the Gulf Coast. The greatest risk of flash flooding aside from the immediate point of the storm's impact will be along small streams and in the hilly terrain of the interior Southeast. Widespread rain totals of 1 to 4 inches are expected across a large swath of real estate from the Ohio Valley to the mid-Atlantic coastline.

Pockets of heavier rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are likely in a zone from northern Alabama to the east to the coast of the Carolinas. Flash flooding is most likely in areas where rain comes down at a rate of more than an inch an hour.

New England to Feel the Effects by Sunday

Isaias is forecast to devolve into a tropical wind and rainstorm as it moves farther inland. The storm will take a turn to the east on Sunday, taking it into the coastal Northeast and southern New England. Saturday will be the best day to get outside for fall activities in this corner of the country.

By Sunday, much of the Northeast and New England will be dealing with windswept rain, locally heavy rain, power outages, and travel delays. Air travel disruptions could persist into Monday in the northeastern U.S. Complicating the air travel picture will be the likelihood of disruptions in the western U.S. as Tropical Storm Rachel pushes through this region with similar impacts.

Saturday may also be the last good day of the season to get out to see the fall foliage in some areas of the Northeast. The imminent rain and wind will work to knock off any leaves still hanging on to the branches on Sunday. Be sure to head out on Saturday if you have not crossed leaf-peeping off of your fall to-do list.

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