Heavy rain is expected in the New York City metro area and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut on Thursday — just days after city officials issued the first drought warning in over two decades.
One of the city’s driest spells since records began more than 150 years ago will likely conclude later on Wednesday as a “widespread significant rainfall” could bring up to 1.5 inches of rain to the area, the National Weather Service in New York announced Tuesday.
Steady rain is expected to arrive late on Wednesday and intensify overnight, which could translate into a messy commute on Thursday morning.
The much-needed rainfall is expected to make quite a splash, with coastal flood advisories already in place for most of Long Island as well as along the coast from Southern Westchester County to Southern Fairfield County in Connecticut.
The advisory will be in effect from 1 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, officials said. Up to 12 inches of inundation above ground level is expected in vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline, with some roads and low-lying properties — including parking lots, parks, lawns and homes and businesses with basements near the waterfront — especially at risk.
A Coastal Flood Statement has also been issued for New York City’s shoreline areas due to above-normal tidal departures.
“During a Coastal Flood Statement, minor flooding of the most vulnerable shore road and adjacent properties is possible due to the height of the storm tide, wave splash‑over and effects of the full moon,” according to NYCEM, the city’s official emergency notification system.
Residents of the southern part of Queens should expect “minor floodings of shore roads/properties” from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m, while those in the northern part of the borough and the Bronx should be prepared for inundations between 1 and 4 p.m.
We are expecting a widespread significant rainfall, mainly Wed night into Thu night. Not a drought buster, but it will help, especially with ongoing fire weather issues. Our rainfall forecast is around 1″ to 1.5″ #NYwx #NJwx #CTwx #drought #droughtrelief pic.twitter.com/fGoatntqon
— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) November 19, 2024
While the desperately needed rain is not exactly the “drought buster” that would help bring water levels in reservoirs and rivers back to normal, the upcoming storm “will help, especially with ongoing fire weather issues,” meteorologists said.
“This drought has come on fast and come on furious,” Rohit Aggarwala, chief climate officer and DEP commissioner for the city, told reporters Monday, adding that reservoirs were nearly 20% below their usual levels and eight inches of rain were needed for the situation to get back to normal.