NYC Weather: 'Bomb Cyclone' To Wash Out Evening Commute

NEW YORK — Get ready for a rush-hour washout. Heavy rain will drench New York City commuters starting Wednesday afternoon as a "bomb cyclone" storm pounds the Northeast U.S., forecasters say.

The "intensifying system" moving into the metropolitan region is expected to drop nearly two and a half inches of rain on Central Park by early Thursday morning, the National Weather Service says.

The showers will start by the late afternoon and continue through the evening, with the heaviest rainfall expected after 8 p.m., according to the forecast. There's also a chance of thunder during rush hour from 4 to 7 p.m., forecasters say.

"The latest indications are the storm will strengthen at a fast enough pace into Thursday to be classified as a bomb cyclone," Accuweather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski writes.

Wednesday will see a seasonably cool high temperature near 65 degrees amid the wet weather, the forecast shows. Thursday will bring nasty wind gusts as strong as 39 MPH with a high near 60, according to the weather service.

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

Wednesday
Rain likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 5pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 65. Southeast wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night
Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 3am, then rain likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 50. Breezy, with an east wind 14 to 22 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.

Thursday
A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before 7am. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Breezy, with a west wind 22 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph.

Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Breezy, with a west wind 14 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Northwest wind around 15 mph.

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 47.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 62.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 51.