NYC Braces For Storm With 55 MPH Wind Gusts: See Timeline

NEW YORK CITY — Severe storms are headed for New York City on Wednesday night, bringing pummeling wind gusts and locally heavy rains, forecasters said.

According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, rain will move into the city from the northwest as early as 3 p.m., and sweep southeast across the city before clearing by 11 p.m.

There's a scattered thunderstorm risk, especially likely in the southeast portions of the city, and a marginal severe weather risk is in effect through 8 a.m. Thursday.

Though the forecast calls for around a tenth of an inch of rain, amounts could be higher in the event of a thunderstorm, which could lead to flooding in low-lying areas with poor drainage.

"If storms hit: take mass transit when possible, avoid flooded stations and basements, and stay clear of downed trees and power lines. If you hear thunder, head indoors," Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on X.

Wind is the primary hazard in this storm, with gusts up to 55 mph, according to the New York City Department of Emergency Management.

A heat advisory is still in effect until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, with a high near 93 degrees. The passing storm will break the heat, lowering the high to just 66 degrees on Friday.

Memorial Day Weekend is shaping up to be cooler and rainy, but the forecast is still coming into focus.

To beat the heat, find a cooling center here.

Here's the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 93. West wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Tonight: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 11 p.m., then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Northwest wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: Showers likely, mainly before 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Calm wind.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 8 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Showers likely, mainly after 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 53. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

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