RAIN, WINDS BATTER CITY
End of wet and wild onslaught expected by Thursday morning
An unrelenting rainstorm battered New York City and the tristate area Wednesday, though the end is supposed to be in sight by Thursday morning, according to forecasters.
What started as a seasonal April shower gave way to unabated rain Wednesday for the city and much of the tristate area.
The near-constant downpour resulted from a “major coastal storm,” which dumped at least an inch of rain on Central Park, with potential for more in other areas across the five boroughs, according to the National Weather Service.
New Yorkers also dealt with minor flooding and intense winds during the day Wednesday and into the night, with some gusts blowing up to 45 mph. Meteorologists responded with a high wind warning for parts of New York, which began about 11 a.m. and was set to expire at 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The weather triggered a series of additional advisories across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. It also prompted warnings for commuters and travelers, not only for the tristate area, but along much of the East Coast.
The rainfall began in New York on Monday with scattered showers before ramping up overnight into Tuesday. The waterworks continued into Wednesday morning, and their intensity increased further in the afternoon, as thunderstorms rolled into town. A flood watch began Wednesday at 4 p.m. and was set to expire Thursday at 1 a.m.
A coastal flood advisory was scheduled for 2 p.m. on Wednesday through 7 a.m. on Thursday.
“The bulk of travel problems associated with the heaviest rain in New York City will be from Wednesday to Wednesday night and in Boston from late Wednesday through Wednesday night,” AccuWeather meteorologist Matt Benz said.
The Federal Aviation Administration also warned that weather woes could trigger delayed flights and cancellations along much of the East Coast. More than 400 flights into or out of LaGuardia were delayed on Wednesday, and another 400 were similarly stalled either coming or going from Newark Airport.
Things were only marginally better at Kennedy Airport, where more than 350 total flights were delayed, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.com. Dozens of flights at all three airports were also canceled.
The rainfall is expected to persist Thursday morning and into the afternoon, but it should taper off by evening. Forecasters noted some precipitation may sprinkle down Friday, but it will be nothing compared to what city slickers faced during the week.
And while there’s no rain in the forecast for the weekend, it will still be gloomy until Sunday, when the sun is expected to finally emerge from the clouds.