NYC Weather: Downpours Coming Ahead Of Weekend Chill

NEW YORK — Heavy rain is set to drench New York City on Friday, likely messing up commutes ahead of a chilly weekend, forecasters say. Showers could start as early as Friday morning, with the chance of rain growing in the afternoon and evening before potential downpours hit at night, according to the National Weather Service.

The rain could cause some flash floods, especially in places where fallen foliage has clogged storm drains, the weather service says.

It will come as wet weather soaks the East Coast on Friday, creating rough conditions for drivers, AccuWeather meteorologist Courtney Spamer writes.

"The timing of the steadier, heavier rain in the I-95 corridor, from D.C. to New York City, means that the evening commute could be troublesome," AccuWeather meteorologist Steve Travis told the website.

Aabout 1.4 inches of rain are expected to drench Central Park from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning, with nearly an inch falling from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. alone, the weather service's forecast shows.

Friday's temperature will be roughly normal with a high near 54 degrees, the weather service says. Sunshine and chillier temperatures in the 40s are expected Saturday and Sunday, with nighttime lows dipping into the 30s, according to the weather service.

Here's a closer look at what to expect from the weather, courtesy of the National Weather Service.

Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 54. Northwest wind around 8 mph.

Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Northeast wind 5 to 8 mph.

Friday
Rain, mainly after 3pm. High near 54. East wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday Night
Rain before midnight, then showers likely, mainly between midnight and 4am. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 42. East wind 9 to 14 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 43 by 5pm. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 33.

Sunday (Veterans Day)
Sunny, with a high near 44.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 35.

(Lead image: People walk in the rain in New York City on April 3, 2018. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)