New York City, tristate area set for flood watch as rainstorms move into the region

New York City and most of the tristate area is set for a flood watch on Wednesday and into Thursday as a rainstorm moves into the region.

The National Weather Service predicts up to an inch of rain will fall every hour on Wednesday during the most intense periods of precipitation, beginning in the afternoon and getting heavier at night.

“Rates of around an inch per hour for prolonged periods of time are possible with the setup,” forecasters said Tuesday. “Widespread minor flooding with areas of more significant flooding are expected as a result.”

The rain began Tuesday afternoon but is supposed to stop briefly overnight. However, forecasters warned “a second low will approach on Wednesday and pass to the southeast on Thursday, bringing more significant rainfall of 1-2 inches, with locally higher amounts possible across Long Island and southeast Connecticut,” the weather service said.

“We may manage one dry day this week on Friday before a third storm arrives this weekend and brings yet more rain,” it added.

The flood watch is set to begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday and end at 6 a.m. Thursday. Temperatures are expected to remain rather consistent, with afternoon highs in the mid-50s and overnight lows in the low-40s.

The rain and low-50s temperatures will mark a sharp contrast from last weekend, when New Yorkers enjoyed record highs and sunny skies on Sunday.

But as we move into the first half of next week, NWS forecasters all but promise “the weather pattern looks quieter.”