Heavy rain forecast in Delaware on July 4. Will fireworks get rained out?

Unless, that is, the rain comes.

"Heavy rain" is possible this evening in New Castle County, according to National Weather Service reports. Clouds were already gathering somewhere over the Midwest as of Thursday morning, ready to push a possible storm front into Delaware this evening, as crowds gather to watch explosions in the sky.

So what gives? Will Delaware fireworks displays get rained out on the Fourth of July? The answer, sadly, is "perhaps." And also, "It depends." Here's what we know.

Does Delaware's forecast call for rain during the fireworks on July 4?

First, the good news: After an afternoon high in the 90s, evening temperatures will be pleasant, descending into the low 80s and high 70s as the night progresses.

Now the bad news: If you're in New Castle County, it'll probably rain at some point. Possibly even "excessively."

"There's a chance of precipitation all across northern Delaware," said Philadelphia/Mount Holly weather station meteorologist Joe DeSilva.

Starting around 4 p.m., and intensifying until 8 p.m., there's a significant chance of rain in New Castle County, as a weather system moves in from inland.

This rain threat isn't expected to subside in Northern Delaware until about 10:30 p.m., DeSilva said, which means fireworks displays in Hockessin and the Wilmington Riverfront may be in jeopardy of being drizzly or delayed.

An excessive rain warning is also in effect for parts of New Castle County this evening, as heat and humidity combine into a threat of thunderstorms.

That said, it'll be difficult to say exactly where and when the rainfall will strike in New Castle County, say meteorologists. Until after around 10L30 p.m., the chance of rain in northern Delaware will be approximately a coin flip at any given moment, wherever you are.

"There'll definitely be some showers and storms around," DeSilva said. "But to pinpoint exactly where it will be at this point? That's difficult to say."

So, uh, plan accordingly.

Will Delaware beaches see rain during fireworks on July 4?

If you'd like to avoid the rain during fireworks displays today, now is probably the time to head south.

The rain forecast will be far better in southern Delaware than in the north, both inland and at the beaches.

No excessive rain warnings are in effect for Kent and Sussex Counties. What's more, the threat of rain is below 30% at the southern Delaware beaches, which means fireworks displays are far less likely to be affected.

By the time you get as far south as Ocean City, Maryland, the chance of rain drops to about 25%.

How much rain will Delaware see on July 4?

Here's the good news: Even though the chance of rain is quite high, weather forecasts don't call for a large quantity of precipitation — about a tenth of an inch or so.

Unless you get hit with a thunderstorm that is, at which point all bets are off.

So while it's wise to bring an umbrella and maybe even a rain slicker if you're headed outside for the evening, the rain may be a temporary setback, according to the forecasts this morning.

Contact Matthew Korfhage at mkorfhage@delawareonline.com.

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