Weather: Weekend to start on wet note

AccuWeather reports while the northeastern United States will be spared from Hurricane Matthew’s wrath, rain from a non-tropical system could disrupt outdoor plans on Saturday.

The same system that caused severe thunderstorms, soaking rain and even snow across the central U.S. on Thursday will push eastward into the Northeast Friday night.

Rain will spread across the region along a west to east manner from Friday night intoSaturday night.

A few of the locations that will experience wet weather for at least part of Saturdayinclude Baltimore; Washington, D.C.; Harrisburg and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Syracuse, Albany and New York City, New York.

Some of Matthew’s moisture can get pulled northward, which would enhance rainfall from central Virginia to central Pennsylvania.

While the rain is not expected to be heavy enough to cause flash flooding, water could pool in streets where leaves have clogged storm drains.

The rain is expected to become lighter and spottier by the time it reaches New England late Saturday afternoon into Saturday night.

Residents heading to outdoor sporting events will want to be sure to grab an umbrella, poncho and/or rain jacket before heading out the door.

Temperatures will generally stay around average across the region on Saturday. Highs in the middle to upper 60s F will be common across interior areas, with lower 70s expected right along the coast.

Despite being a nuisance to those heading to outdoor plans, the rain will be beneficial in the short term for drought-stricken areas of the Northeast.

Areas from northern Pennsylvania and western New York to New England will still need days and weeks of soaking rain to completely alleviate drought conditions.

Beyond Saturday, an area of high pressure will move over the region and promote dry weather into at least the middle of the new week.

Chilly air will follow in the wake of the rain, with temperatures dropping 5 to 10 degrees below average from Sunday through Monday.

By Renee Duff, Meteorologist for AccuWeather.com