Watch CBS News

Tracking potential impacts of Helene; rainy weather chances near Philadelphia on Wednesday

Latest tracks show Helene bringing some rain to Philadelphia area
Latest tracks show Helene bringing some rain to Philadelphia area 04:49

Happy Wednesday! We're tracking some rain today and the latest forecast models of Tropical Storm Helene, which could strengthen into a major hurricane and bring bands of tropical downpours to the Philadelphia region at the end of this week.

It'll be another gray day today, with a warm front lifting into the area. This will bring another round of scattered showers that could add some much-needed rain to the bucket, though it's likely not going to amount to much.

Some models hint at a quarter-plus inch of rain in spots to the northwest, which would be half of what we've had over the past five weeks.

next-6-days-rain-chances.png
CBS News Philadelphia

It's looking like spots north and west of Philadelphia have the greatest chance at seeing some showers Wednesday afternoon and evening, which could linger into Thursday morning.

philly-area-tomorrow.png
CBS News Philadelphia

Thursday may start with some more showers, but as the warm front pushes north, we may brighten and warm in the afternoon with highs getting to around 80. 

Friday looks to stay quiet as well, though it remains mostly cloudy. Starting late Friday or Friday night, we'll likely be in for some rainfall from Hurricane Helene.

helene-impacts.png
CBS News Philadelphia

Helene strengthened into a hurricane Wednesday morning as it moved into the southern Gulf of Mexico. Forecast wind speeds have increased to 125 mph (Category 3) as it approaches the big bend of Florida Thursday night.

helene-track-2pm.png
CBS News Philadelphia

Helene is then forecast to drift west toward the Mississippi Valley, but outer bands of clouds and showers will likely lift far enough north to impact our area by Friday night into Saturday.  

forecast-rain-helene.png
CBS News Philadelphia


As the storm stalls over the mid-South, we may dry out for some of the weekend, but we'll have to closely watch the path of the remnant low as it eventually drifts back east, and could bring shower chances to our area through the early part of next week.

The NEXT Weather team will continue to monitor this storm and any other chance of rain throughout the week to help you plan for any potential impacts.

Here's your 7-day forecast:

7-day-am.png

Wednesday: High of 72, low of 64, showers around

Thursday: High of 80, low of 68, warm, a shower

Friday: High of 77, low of 67, clouds, shower

Saturday: High of 76, low of 66, mostly cloudy

Sunday: High of 74, low of 62, clouds, some sun

Monday: High of 73, low of 59, partly cloudy

Tuesday: High of 75, low of 59, showers possible

NEXT Weather Radars

Hourly Forecast

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.