NYC Weather Forecast: Tornado Possible Amid Severe Storm Threat

NEW YORK, NY — Severe thunderstorms and even an isolated tornado could strike New York City on Friday amid heat that could feel like nearly 100 degrees, the National Weather Service warns.

The mercury is expected to reach a high near 90 Friday with heat index values as high as 98, putting the city under a heat advisory until 6 p.m., the weather service says.

The storms could get started early Friday afternoon, but they're most likely to hit in the evening, according to the weather service's forecast.

The potentially severe storms could bring damaging winds, a possible tornado and a low threat of flash flooding, the weather service warns. About a quarter inch of rain is expected to hit Central Park by early Saturday morning, the forecast shows.

(Keep up with NYC events and news by subscribing to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

A chance of storms will loom throughout Saturday, when a high temperature near 88 is expected, the weather service says. Sunday could also be wet with a high near 76 before partly sunny skies return Monday, according to the forecast.

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 4pm. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 98. South wind 5 to 9 mph.

Friday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 7pm and 2am. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 8 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. West wind around 8 mph.

Saturday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 71. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday
A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 76. Northeast wind around 9 mph.

Sunday Night
A 50 percent chance of showers before 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Monday
Partly sunny, with a high near 80.

Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.

(Lead image: People walk along a wet promenade in Brooklyn in July 2018. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)