NYC Weather: Flash Flood Watch Issued Ahead Of Drenching Rain

NEW YORK — Drenching rains expected to fall on Thursday could cause flash floods in the five boroughs. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for New York City from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, when up to 2.5 inches of rain could soak the tri-state area.

The showers could start as early as Wednesday afternoon and could become heavy at times Thursday morning, with "heavy downpours" possible into the early afternoon, the weather service warns.

Flash floods may develop in urban areas, places with poor drainage and small streams, according to the weather service.

Close to an inch and a half of rain is expected to hit Central Park on Thursday amid a high temperature near 53 degrees, the weather service's forecast shows. The timing of the rain could create slippery conditions for Thursday's morning and evening commutes.

Here's a closer look at the forecast, courtesy of the National Weather Service.

Wednesday
A 30 percent chance of rain after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Wind chill values between 25 and 35. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph.

Wednesday Night
Rain, mainly after 1am. Temperature rising to around 50 by 4am. South wind 9 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday
Rain, mainly before 3pm. The rain could be heavy at times. Temperature rising to near 53 by 9am, then falling to around 44 during the remainder of the day. South wind 15 to 18 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Northwest wind 7 to 13 mph.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 35. West wind 8 to 13 mph.

Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 19.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 29.

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Sunday
A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39.

Sunday Night
A 30 percent chance of snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.

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