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Flood Watch Issued

Rain, melting could cause ice jams

The National Weather Service in State College has issued a flood watch for Clinton, Centre, Lycoming and other counties in Central Pennsylvania, effective through Saturday night.

Rain is forecast to begin this evening and last until it turns into a wintry mix and eventually to snow late Friday night and Saturday morning, forecasters said.

Rainfall across the watch area will be up to an inch and a half even before the transition to wintry precipitation begins. This heavy rainfall will occur in conjunction with a significant warm up. Eventual totals may reach over two inches by Saturday morning, but some of that will fall as snow or sleet.

Area waterways are covered with ice due to our recent arctic outbreak. This volume of water running into the streams and rivers may lead to large rises on the waterways. The ice may melt initially and break up due to the force of the rising water.

This could also lead to ice jam flooding as the ice collects at constrictions, clogging the flow and backing up onto land.

The NWS suggests residents keep an eye on area waterways and be alert for sudden rises.

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