Flash Flood Risk Increases In NYC As 2 Inches Of Rain Per Hour Possible

NEW YORK CITY — There's an increased risk of flooding in New York City on Tuesday as heavy, fast-developing rainstorms target the area, meteorologists said.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch in all five boroughs on Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday.

Depending on how the storms develop, downpours could reach up to 2 inches of rainfall per hour, which may cause flooding along waterfronts as well as in areas with poor drainage.

"A slow moving frontal boundary will interact with a tropical air mass to bring showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening," forecasters at the National Weather Service said. "Locally heavy rainfall is possible and rainfall rates may be near, or exceed, 2" per hour at times. This rainfall could lead to flash flooding."

The city will also be under a Heat Advisory from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., and will have a high of 92 degrees, the National Weather Service said. However, the temperature could feel closer to 96 degrees, due to humidity, forecasters said.

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The rain will clear out by Wednesday morning, but scattered rainstorms will return Wednesday night and continue in rounds until at least Friday, according to the latest forecast.

Here is the latest forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Increasing clouds, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 97. West wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers before 8 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Wednesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Thursday: A chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11 p.m., then a chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85.

Friday night: A 30 percent chance of showers before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.

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