Rain all but ‘certain’ Sunday, ending Philly’s record six-week dry spell

Residents of the Philadelphia city-state are in for an unusual experience late in the day Sunday or during the evening — something called “rain.”

That’s what the forecasters are promising, anyway. “We’re pretty darn certain,” said Amanda Lee, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Mount Holly, noting that the prospect of the first measurable rain in six weeks had generated a certain outsize excitement in the office, given it would be no more than a quarter- to a half-inch.

But not only has no measurable rain fallen upon the official rain gauge at Philadelphia International Airport since Sept. 28 — inundating the old record for a dry streak, 29 days, that dated to 1874 and the administration of President Ulysses S. Grant — but it hasn’t rained more than a quarter-inch since Sept. 7.

Assuming they happen, the rains more or less would be the prosaic leftovers of a storm system that has clocked the Rockies with 2 to 3 feet of snow, said John Feerick, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc.

But this “won’t be a drought-busting rain by any means,” he said, adding that fire dangers could return early in the workweek.

Drought watches remain for the entire region, and all of New Jersey, and strong winds in recent days have incited several brush fires, including a spectacular one on the edge of Neversink Mountain in Reading.

Dense smoke and a ring of engorged orange flames on Saturday were visible even from Reading’s most famous landmark, the Pagoda, resulting in evacuations. No serious injuries or deaths were reported, but a firefighter did suffer minor injuries.

The cause of the fire, which began late Friday night, is under investigation; however, 99% of brush fires are started by humans.

“I am deeply grateful to our fire department, emergency responders, the Reading School District for their quick willingness to provide a safe shelter for affected residents and our community, who have stepped up to support one another in this time of need,” Reading Mayor Eddie Morán said in a statement.

The Neversink Mountain blaze was one of multiple wildfires that have flared in Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In the Garden State, at least three fires have erupted in the last week.

Meanwhile, the burn ban across Pennsylvania remains in place in 16 counties, including Bucks and Chester, along with Berks, which is under a state drought warning.

But the weather service plans to issue no fire-danger advisories Sunday, said meteorologist Patrick O’Hara. He said that generally light winds from the south would moisten the atmosphere a bit in advance of the expected rains.

Unfortunately, dry conditions are likely to pick up after this anticipated interruption, said Feerick.

By the way, for those who don’t remember it, that wet stuff is usually harmless.