What to Know
- A cold front is bringing thunderstorms and gusty winds to much of the region, mostly Friday morning through afternoon
- Flash flood watches went into effect at 2 a.m. Friday and last until 2 p.m. for many tri-state counties
- The weekend looks glorious, with sunny skies and comfortable highs in the low-to-mid 80s forecast for both Saturday and Sunday
Scattered showers and storms associated with an approaching cold front moved in overnight and began battering the tri-state area early Friday, prompting some weather advisories and warnings as the morning commute got underway.
Flash flood watches were in effect for many counties across the region until early afternoon, though southern New Jersey bore the brunt of the rough weather. Check all severe weather alerts here.
Many areas saw wet roads and soggy conditions, making for a messy and potentially dangerous commute, as forecasters warned of possible rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour. The showers briefly stopped, then a second round brought another punch, again mainly to southern New Jersey.
The cold front pushes out of the region late afternoon Friday, and any lingering showers were expected to taper off during the evening commute. The sky clears, and humidity drops significantly, Storm Team 4 says. Temperatures will be in the lower 80s over the weekend with plenty of sunshine.
The stormy forecast for Friday prompted Gov. Cuomo to issue a warning, reminding New Yorkers, especially in low-lying areas, that torrential rains may cause isolated flash flooding. Cuomo advised people to keep flashlights and extra batteries handy, as well as emergency supplies just in case. He also warned of power outages given the amount of usage during the heat stretch.
Local
That heat stretch was blamed for the death of at least one person in the city, according to the medical examiner's office. That person was found dead in a parked car in Queens on Friday, the first day of the smothering heat stretch.
Heat waves are the deadliest weather hazards in the U.S., with 134 fatalities annually over a 30-year average, compared with the second deadliest hazard floods (30-year average is 85).
