Excessive Rainfall Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
250 AM EST Thu Nov 12 2026
Day 1
Valid 12Z Thu Nov 12 2026 - 12Z Fri Nov 13 2026
Complex upper level evolution over the Northeast CONUS will lead to
a small window of opportunity for locally heavy rain within the
confines of northeastern NJ into portions of the NYC metro. Current
assessment leans towards a short window in the afternoon and early
evening hours for a band of shallow convection to materialize
within the northern fringe of a developing low pressure off the
northern NJ coast. Minor theta_E advection regime within the
eastern flank of a developing trowal on the northern periphery of
cyclogenesis will aid in a period of enhanced rainfall rates
within the corridor containing the northeastern NJ counties south
of NYC, into the lower NYC burroughs with emphasis on Staten
Island into Brooklyn and perhaps lower Manhattan. This has been a
theme the past few days from the CAMs, but there is a wavering in
placement and longevity of any heavier echoes that transpire.
Latest HRRR even places the heaviest QPF distribution off the coast
which would negate any potential for flash flooding while the RRFS
is the most aggressive in its interpretation. This has allowed for
a some low-end FFG exceedance probs in the 00z REFS output in the
aforementioned area, but certainly nothing overly concerning in the
stance of the widespread, or even scattered flash flood prospects.
After some coordination with the local NYC WFO, opted to maintain a
nil risk for the threat, but did want to make mentioned locally
1-2" of rainfall in a 6-hr window is possible in that small area
referenced above. Some ponding and heavy downpours are likely in
this setup, but limited MUCAPE and longevity skew this more towards
a non-zero threat, but still less than 5% overall.
Thus, the probability of rainfall exceeding flash flood guidance
is less than 5 percent.
Kleebauer
Day 2
Valid 12Z Fri Nov 13 2026 - 12Z Sat Nov 14 2026
The probability of rainfall exceeding flash flood guidance is less
than 5 percent.
Kleebauer
Day 3
Valid 12Z Sat Nov 14 2026 - 12Z Sun Nov 15 2026
...THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF EXCESSIVE RAINFALL ACROSS NORTHWEST
WASHINGTON STATE IN THE AREA OF THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA...
Area of heavy rainfall in the form of a moderate, yet progressive
atmospheric river will send another wave of enhanced precipitation
into the vicinity of the Olympic Peninsula on Saturday leading to a
low-end threat of flash and areal flooding for the weekend. Heavy
precipitation in the periods prior have allowed for local streams
and rivers, mainly the Skokomish in the valley areas around the
Olympics, to swell enough to warrant some extra caution for
flooding around the river itself. Latest USGS gauge data signals
the river running high, into the 75th percentile to date, for
streamflows with some of the gauges running just below action stage
at this juncture. Rainfall forecasts of an additional 1-3",
locally higher, are expected for the D3 time frame with much of the
rain occurring in a 12-hr window before the passage of a cold
front late in the forecast period (Sat night into Sun morning).
This could send some of the river banks overflowing and cause some
local flood concerns, some of which could be flashy given the
nature of the heavier rainfall on top of the hydrologic function of
the river. With the forecast remaining fairly steadfast in its
presentation and with previous coordination with the local Seattle
WFO already okay with the current risk area, felt there was no
necessary changes needed with the latest forecast as everything
remains on track from a synoptic and hydrologic standpoint.
Kleebauer
Day 4 and Day 5
Valid 12Z Sun Nov 15 2026 - 12Z Tue Nov 17 2026
...THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF EXCESSIVE RAINFALL ACROSS PORTIONS
OF EASTERN TEXAS AND WESTERN LOUISIANA SUNDAY...
...Eastern Texas/Western Louisiana...
Uncertainty remains in the rainfall forecast from the Day 3 into
the Day 4/Sunday period across the southern Plains to Gulf Coast as
a complex split flow pattern evolves. For Sunday, northern stream
energy should merge with/overtake a leading southern stream wave
providing the necessary lift to support scattered to widespread
storms. Southeasterly flow setting up on the southwestern side of
post-frontal high pressure will lead to moist Gulf return flow this
weekend and particularly into Sunday, helping to push a lingering
frontal boundary over the Gulf back north as a warm front into
Texas. The combination of moisture and modest instability as well
as strong lift along the frontal boundary/coastal convergence
should support the potential for some more robust thunderstorms
producing locally heavy downpours. Despite the latest 00Z GFS/AIGFS
remaining outliers on depicting heavier amounts, the rest of the
deterministic guidance are well clustered on the potential for
heavy rainfall across eastern Texas into western Louisiana, with
locally heavy totals of 3-5" possible. This would be more than
sufficient to support a threat for at least isolated flash
flooding, and possibly a higher risk as confidence increases in the
forecast.
...Gulf Coast...
Guidance indicates the upper-energy will translate eastward Day
5/Monday possibly leading to some additional storms along the Gulf
Coast. However, strengthening high pressure to the north and a
reinforcement of colder, dry air along the backside of the wave
look to help push the frontal boundary into the Gulf. This should
keep greater moisture/instability and the focus for storms mostly
offshore. Even if the boundary/storms were to set up a bit further
north along the coast, FFGs are high and would require a much
greater signal for widespread coverage/several inch rainfall totals
to raise a concern for flash flooding. Therefore, the probability
of rainfall exceeding flash flood guidance is less than 5 percent.
Putnam
Day 1 threat area: www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/94epoints.txt
Day 2 threat area: www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/98epoints.txt
Day 3 threat area: www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/99epoints.txt