What started as seasonal April showers have given way to unrelenting rain for New York and much of the tri-state area.
The ongoing precipitation is the result of a “major coastal storm,” which could dump up to three inches of rain and potentially flood parts of New York City on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. The agency also forecast intense winds throughout the day, some blowing at a severe 45 mph, resulting in a high wind warning for parts of New York. It went into effect at 11 a.m. and will remain in place until Thursday at 6 a.m.
The weather triggered a series of additional of advisories across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. It has also prompted warnings for commuters and travelers, not only for the tri-state area but along much of the East Coast.
The rainfall started off in New York on Monday with scattered showers before ramping up overnight into Tuesday. The waterworks continued into Wednesday morning and are expected to be at their most intense between 1 and 6 p.m. A flood watch is set to begin Wednesday at 4 p.m. and last until Thursday at 1 a.m.
A coastal flood advisory will also be in effect from Wednesday starting at 2 p.m. until Thursday at 7 a.m.
“The bulk of travel problems associated with the heaviest rain in New York City will be from Wednesday to Wednesday night and in Boston from late Wednesday through Wednesday night,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Matt Benz said.
The Federal Aviation Administration also warned that weather woes could trigger delayed flights and cancellations along much of the East Coast. More than 100 flights into or out of LaGuardia have been hit with delays on Wednesday while 113 are similarly stalled either coming or going from Newark International Airport. Another 137 flights into or out of JFK International Airport were also running behind schedule, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.com.
The rainfall is expected to persist Thursday morning and into the afternoon but it should taper off by evening. Forecasters noted some precipitation may sprinkle down on Friday, but it will be nothing compared to what city slickers faced during the week.
And while there’s no rain in the forecast for the weekend, it will still be gloomy until Sunday, when the sun is expected to finally emerge from the clouds.
