A significant amount of rain today combined with melting snow could create some overflowing of small streams and creeks, according to the National Weather Service.
A flood watch has been issued for Northumberland and surrounding counties as of late Thursday night through Friday evening. The NWS reported that the rain was expected to start late Thursday night into Friday.
"Overnight, the rain is expected to get steadier and heavier as the night went on into the early morning hours, tapering off by the late morning on Friday," said NWS forecaster Kevin Fitzgerald.
Forecasters say that somewhere between 1 and 1 1/2 inches of rain is expected to fall within a 12 to 18 hour period. Combine that with the melting snow from earlier this week, and the potential for flooding is there.
"We are not expecting any problems with the major rivers," Fitzgerald says. "Just with the small streams and creeks in the low lying areas."
In fact in the NWS's latest predictions, the Susquehanna River in Sunbury is expected to crest at 17 feet at 7 a.m. Sunday, well below flood stage, which is 24 feet.
A flood watch means there is a potential for flooding on small streams, creeks, areas with poor drainage and urban and low-lying areas. Anyone living in those areas should monitor later forecasts, should conditions force a change to a flood warning on Friday.
The National Weather Service reports that people living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action if flooding should develop.