NYC Weather Forecast: Hail, Floods Could Hit For Friday Commute

NEW YORK, NY — It might be good to leave the office early. Thunderstorms expected to hit the New York City area on Friday could bring hail and flash flooding to the evening commute, the National Weather Service warns.

A chance of storms will roll in early Friday afternoon before becoming likely in the early evening, the weather service's latest forecast says.

"Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain," the weather service says. There's also a "low chance" of flash flooding in the metropolitan area, according to a hazardous weather outlook.

The storms are expected to drop nearly half an inch of rain on Central Park by early Saturday morning, the forecast shows. They'll come on a steamy day with a high temperature near 89 degrees and heat index values as high as 94, according to the weather service.

Straphangers might want to be wary — a powerful storm last week created waterfalls and trash-filled puddles in some subway stations.

More storms are possible Saturday, but the weather service predicts partly sunny skies with a high near 86. Even more sunshine will come with a high near 84 on Sunday, the forecast says.

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

Friday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. South wind 5 to 11 mph.

Friday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 6 to 9 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 5 to 8 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Light and variable wind.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 84. Light and variable wind.

Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.

(Lead image: The Statue of Liberty is seen on a windy and rainy afternoon on July 25, 2018. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)