NYC Weather: Up To 5 Inches Of Rain Could Flood City

NEW YORK CITY — Forget your Friday plans, unless they involve rain.

Up to 5 inches of heavy rain could fall on New York City starting late Thursday and into Friday, according to a hazardous weather outlook by the National Weather Service.

The city is also under a flood watch that starts Friday at 2 a.m. and runs until Saturday at 6 a.m.

The wet weather culprit is a low pressure area spinning off the coast and bringing rain along, forecasters said.

"This rain is expected to intensify, becoming heavy at times Thursday night/early Friday and continue so through Friday and Saturday," a National Weather Service briefing states.

Several rounds of heavy rain could hit overnight Thursday and into Friday, both of which carry a 90 percent chance of precipitation, according to the forecast.

The system is expected to bring 2 to 4 inches of rain, with localized amounts above 5 inches, a briefing states.

"Rainfall rates in excess of 1 inch per hour possible," the briefing states.

Here's the National Weather Service's forecast.

Thursday Afternoon
Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 64. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night
Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 61. Northeast wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday
Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 64. Northeast wind around 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.

Friday Night
Rain, mainly before 3am. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 60. Northeast wind 11 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Saturday
A 50 percent chance of rain, mainly before 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. North wind around 14 mph.

Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 74.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 64.

Monday
Sunny, with a high near 75.

Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 63.