Unsettled weather expected to hit Lehigh Valley as hurricane Delta makes landfall

Hurricane Delta crept closer to the U.S. Gulf Coast on Friday morning, on track to hit the same areas Hurricane Laura battered six weeks ago. Delta is expected to make landfall late Friday, with its remnants ultimately trekking north and east into our region.

Unsettled weather is expected to affect the Lehigh Valley from late Sunday through at least Tuesday, the National Weather Service said.

The good news? This will be nothing like Tropical Storm Isaias, which caused flash flooding, rock slides, power outages and countless water rescues on Aug. 4. That’s because Delta will have some interaction with a cold front that will pick up its moisture as it begins to stream north.

According to the weather service, the slow movement of Delta’s remnants absorbed by an advancing system will mean a lengthy period of unsettled weather, but it will likely prevent flash flooding because the rain will be spread out over several days.

Forecasters say guidance continues to point to the lower side of precipitation totals, but the region likely will see 1-2 inches with up to 4 inches possible in some areas. However, the rain will fall over a period of 36 or more hours.

Here’s the timeline of precipitation from Empire Weather, which provides local forecasts for The Morning Call:

Sunday night, showers and steady rain are likely in the area.

Monday will bring the highest probability for showers and bursts of heavy rain and downpours.

Tuesday will see leftover early showers as a post-tropical storm version of Delta exits, quickly followed by a cold front later in the day with more showers possible.

Delta is the 25th named storm of an unprecedented Atlantic hurricane season.

This is only the second time National Hurricane Center forecasters have moved to the Greek alphabet for names.