Heavy Rain Storm Closes In On NYC, Forecasters Warn

NEW YORK CITY — A powerful storm system moves into New York City starting Wednesday night, with wind gusts as high as 40 miles per hour, two inches of rain and coastal flooding all possible just before Halloween, according to the latest forecast.

The good news is that the city should dry out in time for trick-or-treating on Friday night, though it will still be a cold, breezy Halloween, National Weather Service forecasters said.

The New York City Department of Emergency Management has activated its Flash Flood Emergency Plan and issued an official Weather Alert in order to be able to respond to the heavy rain expected.

"We're expecting a storm on Thursday that will bring heavy rain, gusty winds up to 40 mph, and possible flooding in low-lying areas in New York City," the Department of Emergency Management said Wednesday morning on social media.

Wednesday afternoon should start off cool and dry, with increasing clouds as rain is expected to kick up around 2 a.m. Thursday morning.

By Thursday, a combination of the approaching storm system, cooler air, and possible tropical moisture from Hurricane Melissa offshore could bring hazardous weather to areas from the mid-Atlantic through New England, according to AccuWeather.

New York City will see the bulk of its rain on Thursday afternoon into Thursday night, when between 1 and 2 inches is expected to fall, according to the National Weather Service. The New York City Department of Emergency Management said rainfall rates may briefly reach one inch per hour.

"New Yorkers know how to handle tough weather, and we will get through Thursday’s storm the same way we always do: together and prepared," Mayor Eric Adams said.

Some scattered showers will continue across the city until 2 p.m. Friday, clearing out just in time for trick-or-treating, forecasters said. As the storm leaves the area Friday, stronger winds are expected, with gusts up to 40 mph and possibly 50 mph, the New York City Department of Emergency Management said.

Here is the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.

Wednesday night: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 2 a.m. Increasing clouds, with a steady temperature around 53. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Thursday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 5 p.m. High near 60. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 51. East wind 7 to 11 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Halloween: A 20 percent chance of showers before 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. West wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.

Halloween night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.

For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.