NYC Weather: Brewing Tropical Storm Poised To Drench City Over Weekend

NEW YORK CITY — New York City is poised to get tropical, but forecasters aren't talking about the temperature.

A coastal weather system could strengthen into a full-fledged tropical storm this weekend and drench the city, forecasters warned.

"This system will bring a wind swept and soaking rain, coastal flooding, beach erosion and dangerous rip currents to the area this weekend," the National Weather Service warned.

New York City is expected to see up to 2 inches of rain Saturday, with wind gusts as high as 37 mph in the evening, the forecast states. The chance of rain stands at 90 percent.

The city's emergency management commissioner Zach Iscol warned New Yorkers not to use flooded roads or subways and urged those who live in basements to be prepared to move to higher ground.

“New Yorkers should take precautions regarding the forecast for high winds and rain during our first fall weekend,” Iscol said. “This weekend’s weather is also a reminder that we are still in the middle of Atlantic Hurricane season.”

Rain likely will continue into Sunday and Monday, the forecast states.

The temperature, by the way, won't be so tropical — Saturday's high is forecast to be 61 degrees.

The rainy weather culprit is a low pressure area that hovered off South Carolina Friday and had received attention from AccuWeather forecasters as a potential "homebrew" tropical storm.

AccuWeather continued to sound the alarm Saturday, warning that the system dubbed Potential Tropical Cyclone 16 is likely to become a tropical or subtropical storm.

"There is even a chance the storm could reach hurricane intensity, should it remain over warm waters along the immediate coast long enough on Saturday," said Bernie Rayno, AccuWeather's chief on-air meteorologist, in a report by the service.

"People in coastal areas should take this storm seriously. This is going to be a nasty and formidable storm."

The Buildings department issued Friday a warning to home owners and construction site managers to take precautions before the storm.

Recommendations include:

• Bringing inside loose, lightweight objects
• Anchoring gas grills and propane tanks
• Securing patio umbrellas and awnings
• Removing antennas and satellite television dishes.
• Checking and clearing gutters, roof drains, and down spouts

Here's the National Weather Service's forecast.

Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 71. East wind 7 to 13 mph.

Friday Night
A 20 percent chance of rain after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. East wind 11 to 13 mph.

Saturday
Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 61. Northeast wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Saturday Night
Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 59. Northeast wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday
Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 9am. High near 65. Northeast wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday Night
Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Monday
Rain likely before 9am, then a chance of showers after 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.

Tuesday
A 30 percent chance of showers before 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near 66.

Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 68.