New York City is under a flood watch from Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning as an "unusually powerful storm" is forecast to deliver between 2 and 4 inches of rain across the five boroughs. Forecasters anticipate that some areas could receive more than 4 inches of rain.
Senior AccuWeather Meteorologist Matt Rinde described the storm as unusual for late July, noting that developing low-pressure systems in the Northeast are more typical of the fall months. The storm's power is attributed to a combination of low pressure and abundant atmospheric moisture.
The heaviest rainfall is expected to begin Tuesday afternoon and continue into Wednesday morning. This could lead to localized flooding throughout the city. Bands of rain may linger over specific areas for extended periods, intensifying rainfall.
In addition to heavy downpours, damaging wind gusts of 25 to 30 miles per hour are possible, particularly as the storm begins on Tuesday. These winds could potentially lead to downed power lines and trees. The risk of stronger winds is expected to decrease by Tuesday night and Wednesday.
New York City Emergency Management has advised residents to avoid walking or driving through floodwaters. Those living in basement apartments are urged to know their exits and be prepared to move to higher floors.
This forecast comes just over a week after heavy rains on July 18 caused significant flash flooding, inundating streets, disrupting air travel with ground stops at major airports, and shutting down key expressways.