NYC Weather: Storm To Make Holiday Gridlock Even More Hellish

NEW YORK, NY – The heaviest day of Christmas-related traffic is expected to be particularly hellish this year as forecasters predict the gridlocked streets will be drenched by pouring rains.

A storm is expected to hit the city Thursday and continue into Friday, soaking travelers on what is expected to be the busiest day for people fleeing to celebrate the holiday elsewhere.

The rain is expected to start Thursday afternoon, falling steadily before tapering off sometime before noon Friday, the National Weather Service said.

The good news is the temperatures will stay well above freezing, with no snow in the forecast. Early predictions that a white Christmas might be in the cards seem to have evaporated.

Here's the forecast in full, courtesy of the National Weather Service:

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 42. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. West wind 6 to 8 mph.

Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

Thursday
A 40 percent chance of rain after noon. Increasing clouds, with a high near 46. Light and variable wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night
Rain. Temperature rising to around 52 by 5am. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday
Rain before noon, then showers after noon. High near 58. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday Night
Intermittent showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 48.

Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

(Lead image: A man runs for cover during a heavy rain storm in Manhattan. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)