BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Batten down the hatches. Secure the holiday decorations. Sunday looks to bring a wild weather ride.
A flood watch is in effect for the Lehigh Valley starting 1 p.m. Sunday through 4 p.m. Monday afternoon, with heavy rain and gusty winds in the forecast.
A cold front later Sunday is expected to bring 2 to 3 inches of rain to the region with locally higher amounts possible.
Heavy rain and runoff has the potential to flood rivers, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone areas, according to the National Weather Service.
Saturday will be relatively calm and quiet, with mostly cloudy conditions and a high temperature in the low 50s.
But the plot thickens Sunday with rain by late morning.
By the afternoon, expect moderate to heavy rain at times, with 15 to 20 mph sustained winds and gusts of 30 to 45 mph possible and more likely toward coastal areas.
Despite the rain, temperatures are expected to reach into the 60s for much of the region Sunday, according to the weather service.
A cold front will drop temperatures into the mid to upper 30s Sunday night into Monday, when the heaviest rain is forecast. The rain should move out by midday Monday and continue to clear up, with low temperatures in the upper 20s Monday night.
Tuesday will be sunny with a high near 42, according to the weather service forecast.
