Wet start to Holiday Weekend

The combination of the outer bands of Hurricane Arthur and a very slow moving cold front has been producing bands of moderate to heavy rain through the early afternoon.  The rain will steadily push east and exit by this evening over the Philadelphia and New York City metropolitan area which will mean a wet start to the holiday weekend will give way to excellent weather conditions tonight on through Sunday.

This afternoon, periods of rain will exit east slowly as Hurricane Arthur lifts towards the coastal waters of New England and the cold front exits off the coast.  The rain will be heavy at times leading to localized urban and flash flooding.  Winds will be from the north and northwest at 10 to 20 mph.  Temperatures will hold in the upper 70's to lower 80's this afternoon.

Tonight, skies will clear from west to east as high pressure takes hold.  Winds will be from the northwest at 5 to 15 mph.  Temperatures will fall into the upper 50's to lower 60's for lows.

Tomorrow on through Sunday, high pressure will be in control with clear skies to scattered cloud cover.  Winds will be from the northwest at 5 to 15 mph.  Very low humidity will be in place making for very pleasant weather conditions.  Temperatures will range from the upper 50's to lower 60's for lows and mid to upper 80's for highs.

High pressure will shift off the coast by Monday and remain off the Mid Atlantic coast through Thursday.  A series of disturbances and weak cold fronts will move through the region through the forecast period producing widely scattered to isolated showers and thunderstorms.  Humidity will increase through the period via a strengthening southwesterly wind.  Low temperatures will range from the upper 60's to lower 70's.  High temperatures will range from the mid to upper 80's along the coast and upper 80's to lower 90's throughout the rest of the region.