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Just as we were getting used to those blissfully pleasant summer days, Mother Nature has other plans.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for New York City starting at 8 am today, with periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms expected through Wednesday as a slow-moving weather system settles over the region. City officials are warning that torrential downpours could trigger localized flash flooding, especially in low-lying neighborhoods, on roads and highways and in areas with poor drainage.
According to forecasters, this will be the soggiest day of the week. Several rounds of thunderstorms are expected to move through the city, with rainfall rates potentially reaching up to 3 inches per hour during the heaviest downpours. Total rainfall across the tri-state area could reach 4 inches by the time the system moves out, with some neighborhoods seeing even higher amounts.
Unlike last week's storms, which carried a greater threat of damaging winds and even isolated tornadoes, the biggest concern this time around is flooding. That doesn't mean other severe weather is off the table, though—gusty winds, lightning and isolated hail remain possible, especially south and west of the city.
The New York City Emergency Management Department has already activated its Flash Flood Emergency Plan and is urging residents to allow extra travel time, avoid driving through flooded streets and steer clear of underpasses where water can collect quickly. Officials are also reminding New Yorkers that floodwaters can hide hazards such as open manholes, debris and downed electrical lines.
If you live in a basement apartment or another flood-prone location, make a backup plan now, not once water starts creeping through the door. Emergency officials recommend moving to higher ground immediately if a Flash Flood Warning is issued and never attempting to walk or drive through standing water.
The wet weather will also make for rough conditions at the shore. A moderate risk of dangerous rip currents remains in effect Tuesday at ocean beaches, making swimming risky even if skies temporarily clear.
The good news? This isn't shaping up to be a total washout of a week. While scattered showers could linger into Thursday, forecasters expect conditions to improve in time for Friday and Saturday, bringing a much drier (and hopefully sunnier) start to the weekend. Until then, keep the umbrella handy and maybe hold off on those white sneakers for a few days.