Overview
- The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch that runs from 10 a.m. Saturday through early Sunday as multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are forecast to move through the city.
- The strongest storms can produce damaging wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph and an isolated tornado is possible, creating a primary threat of downed branches and unsecured objects being blown about.
- Forecasters say storms could drop 1 to 1.5 inches of rain across the city with isolated pockets of 2 to 4 inches and brief rates of 1.5 to 2 inches per hour that can overwhelm urban drainage and trigger flash flooding in low-lying areas and underpasses.
- New York City Emergency Management has activated the Flash Flood Emergency Plan, coordinated catch-basin clearing and interagency staffing, and urged residents to sign up for Notify NYC and plan for travel delays.
- An Air Quality Alert from Canadian wildfire smoke keeps the air unhealthy for some groups on Saturday, though thunderstorms may briefly clear smoke; residents with breathing issues should monitor AirNow and take precautions.