Fast-Moving Storm Heads For NYC, Forecasters Say

NEW YORK CITY — A fast-moving rainstorm is heading toward New York City on Thursday, interrupting the recent stretch of sunny weather with scattered showers and possibly even thunder and lightning, forecasters said.

According to the National Weather Service, there is a 60 percent chance of rain on Thursday and the city is expected to see between a tenth and a quarter of an inch of rain.

AccuWeather, however, forecasts an 84 percent chance of rain and a 17 percent chance of thunderstorms.

Despite the rain, the temperature will be near 57 degrees on Thursday, making it a potentially foggy commute, forecasters said.

Though the lighter temperatures and the prospect of rain instead of snow are comforting news to those tired of winter, an abrupt cooldown is in store for the weekend, bringing temperatures back into the mid-30s on Sunday, meteorologists said.

Here is the full forecast from the National Weather Service.

Wednesday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 52. West wind 9 to 11 mph.

Wednesday night: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 4 a.m. Increasing clouds, with a low around 43 degrees. Light and variable wind after midnight.

Thursday: A 60 percent chance of showers, mainly between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 57. South wind 11 to 15 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. West wind 11 to 14 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 45. Northwest wind 14 to 17 mph.

Friday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.

Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 36.

Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25.

This is a developing story and may be updated. For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.