BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Moisture from Tropical Depression Chantal will bring the chance for scattered showers and downpours to the region on Monday, kicking off a stretch of unsettled weather with daily chances for storms throughout the week.
Forecasters say the Lehigh Valley should be spared the worst of Chantal’s rain, with the heaviest downpours expected to stay well to the south.
A flood watch is in effect for areas along the urban corridor and farther south and east, including parts of Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey, where heavy rain could cause flash flooding.
The National Hurricane Center also is warning that dangerous surf and rip currents will continue along East Coast beaches, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region.
What to expect Monday
The Lehigh Valley can expect a chance of early morning showers, but the bulk of any activity associated with Chantal is likely from about 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., EPAWA meteorologist Bobby Martrich said in his latest video update.
The Weather Prediction Center has Lehigh and Northampton counties at a marginal risk (1 of 5) of excessive rainfall, while areas well south are at a slight (2 of 5) risk as Chantal accelerates to the northeast.
“While the increase in forward speed will provide some limit to the heavy accumulation and flooding threats, the system will remain an efficient rainfall producer, with heavy rates likely to raise some flooding concerns, especially across urbanized and poor drainage areas,” the WPC said in its excessive rainfall discussion.
The National Weather Service puts the Valley’s chance of precipitation around 60%, with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, with higher amounts possible in any thunderstorms.
Martrich noted that some forecast models show more robust rainfall and storm activity on Monday, while others were less aggressive.
Tuesday and Wednesday
Tropical humidity and unsettled weather will stick around Tuesday and Wednesday, forecasters said.
Tuesday brings the greatest chance for widespread showers and thunderstorms, while Wednesday should see scattered storms redeveloping.
Some storms could produce locally heavy rainfall and flash flooding. The risk could grow if multiple rounds of rain hit the same areas over consecutive days.
12:56am CDT #SPC Day2 Outlook Marginal Risk: for portions of the central High Plains toward the Mid-Mississippi Valley, and the Carolinas into the Northeast https://t.co/Y1WiOd8m1i pic.twitter.com/t3JbQnUdod
— NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) July 7, 2025
“The threat for flooding could be exacerbated by multiple rounds of rainfall over multiple consecutive days,” the discussion said. “There will also be a risk of locally damaging wind gusts with any stronger storms both days.
“So to summarize, a marginal severe environment (Tuesday), but more concerning is the heavy rainfall and flash flooding threat this setup will present.”
Tuesday also will be the hottest day of the short-term period and hottest day of the entire week, with temperatures in the upper 80s to mid 90s across the region. Dewpoints also will be in the low to mid 70s, resulting in heat indices in the mid 90s in the Lehigh Valley.
Late week
The busy and active stretch of weather will continue into the end of the week, with the pattern supporting shower and thunderstorm activity, the weather service said, but details on impacts remain unclear.
