NYC Weather: 'Prolonged' Heavy Rain Threatens 3-Inch Soaker, Flooding

NEW YORK CITY — New Yorkers saving for a rainy day should get ready to cash in.

More than 3 inches of heavy rain could fall Saturday, which carries a 100 percent chance of precipitation, according to the National Weather Service's forecast.

The city will be under a flood watch Saturday from 8 a.m. into Sunday at 2 a.m.

"Prolonged rainfall will occur Saturday into Saturday night,
and may be heavy at times," the flood watch states.

"A total of 2.5 to 3.5 inches of rain is forecast with locally higher amounts possible."

The rain will make the New York City's first Saturday of the spring a certified soaker, but the wider storm system could bring "all-out heavy snowfall" from northern New York to Maine, AccuWeather reported.

Forecasters said the rain for the city likely won't ruin New Yorkers' Friday night plans, so long as they don't stay out too late.

"Rain develops tonight after midnight, with a 6 to 8 hr period of moderate to heavy rain late Sat AM into afternoon," a National Weather Service briefing states.

And the weekend won't be a complete washout — sunny skies are expected Sunday, according to the forecast.

Here's the complete National Weather Service forecast, as of Friday morning.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 45. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Friday Night
Rain likely after 3am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 41. South wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday
Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 51. Southeast wind 9 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Saturday Night
Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 9pm, then rain likely between 9pm and midnight. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 35. Breezy, with a north wind 17 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Breezy, with a north wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.

Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 39.

Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.

Tuesday Night
A 30 percent chance of rain after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Wednesday
A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52.

Wednesday Night
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. Chance of precipitation is 60%.