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Flooding A Concern As Rain To Fall Through Day, Overnight

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- It's going to be a soggy day out there, and flooding is a big concern.

A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for most of Western Pennsylvania ahead of rain moving in this afternoon and goes through noon Wednesday.

The counties include: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Clarion, Fayette Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Somerset, Venango, Washington and Westmoreland.

At this point, you should expect to see anywhere from an inch-and-a-half to two inches of rain over a period of about 18 hours.

While widespread numbers should average just below two inches, there will be a couple of areas that could potentially see near three inches of rain.

At this point it appears areas east of Pittsburgh have the best chance for seeing the higher rain totals.

Overall, the set-up clearly is pointing to big rain totals. Gulf moisture is present to our west with relative humidity levels at all levels close to 100 percent.

A cold front will act as a trigger and lift for this moisture. The system is coming together as we expected it to, and at this point, there is little reason to believe that anything will change.

The only question now is who will see the higher rain totals and the higher chance for flooding.

With this amount of rain incoming, it is always important to go over the basics rules of the road when it comes to flooded roads.

If you cannot see the road in front of you, due to water on the road, turn around. Know the roads you are traveling if it is after sunset and dark. Make sure your lights are on while driving.

Finally, if you must stop or pull over, don't do it on the side of the road.

Once the rain comes to an end Wednesday morning, cooler weather will spill in from the northwest. This will keep temperatures in the 60s for the next couple of days for highs.

Another blast of cold air may impact us on Sunday with even cooler temperatures to start off next week.

Our weekend weather will also be dependent on what is now Tropical Storm Joaquin and its uncertain track.

Stay with KDKA for the latest on the weather conditions.

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