The National Weather Service in State College is forecasting heavy rain this weekend, which will probably put a damper on anyone hoping to get a head start on lawn work.

The Weather Service has issued a flood watch for York and several other central Pennsylvania counties from Friday night through late Saturday.

The watch extends to a large portion of Pennsylvania and all of New Jersey. Parts of Ohio, along the Ohio River, are under a watch, too, with the threat of heavy rain combining with melting snowpack.

Meteorologist Barry Lambert said 2 to 4 inches of rain could fall in York over that span. Streams and creeks could flood.

"If people live along a stream and they've been flooded before, there's a decent chance they could have some problems by later tomorrow," Lambert said.

He said people who live in flood-prone areas should develop a plan to move valuable items away from low-lying areas in their home.

Forecasters expected rain to become heavy Friday evening and throughout the day Saturday, Lambert said. Any break in the rain will be fleeting.

He said flooding is possible along the Susquehanna River depending on how much rain falls to the north. The rain could melt snow along areas of the upper Susquehanna basin, he said, and drain into the river.

Parade: Organizers of the York St. Patrick's Day Parade weren't sure Friday morning whether the event will be held Saturday, said Mary Yeaple, chairwoman of the parade committee.

She said the 12-member committee was still mulling what to do.

"Some committee members feel one way, others feel another," she said. "We are struggling to come to a decision."

Rescheduling the parade isn't an option because of other St. Patrick's Day events in the area.

Lambert said the rainfall should begin to slow on Sunday and end Monday, he said. The next several days should be warmer than normal and dry.

Forecasters are predicting highs in the mid-50s and partly cloudy or mostly sunny skies on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.