Weather Alert Ahead of Friday Evening Thunderstorms and Gusty Winds

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New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) is advising New Yorkers to prepare for possible strong thunderstorms and gusty winds Friday evening, based on the latest National Weather Service (NWS) forecast. Winds are expected to pick up between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. ahead of a cold front, with heavy rain showers and scattered thunderstorms forecast to move through the city between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. New York City is under a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe storms from 8 a.m. Friday through 8 a.m. Saturday. Lingering drizzle and light showers are expected early Saturday morning, with conditions drying out after 8 a.m.

Rainfall totals of 0.2 to 0.4 inches are most likely, with 0.5 to 0.75 inches possible locally in thunderstorms. Rainfall rates are expected to stay below 0.2 inches per hour overall, with brief rates of 0.5 to 1 inch per hour possible during thunderstorms. Excessive rainfall is not expected, but fallen leaves clogging catch basins could cause ponding on roadways and highly localized flooding during heavy rain. The primary hazard is thunderstorm wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph, which could bring down tree branches. The line of storms is expected to weaken as it moves from west to east, with the highest chance of severe weather over western parts of the city.

Gusty northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph, with frequent gusts of 30 to 35 mph, are expected to continue Saturday morning and into the early afternoon. Temperatures are expected to turn much cooler, with highs in the mid-50s, lows around 40 degrees, and wind chills in the mid-30s. Winds are expected to ease Sunday, with highs in the upper 50s.

Safety Tips

New Yorkers should take the following steps to stay safe during thunderstorms and gusty winds:

• If you hear thunder, go inside a sturdy building and stay there until the storm passes.
• Move away from windows to an interior room on a lower floor, and stay off porches, balconies, and rooftops.
• Secure loose outdoor items, including trash cans, furniture, plant pots, and umbrellas on balconies, rooftops, and patios. At job sites, secure tools, cones, boards, and barriers.
• Charge your phone and other devices ahead of the storm in case of power outages.
  If you cannot get indoors, stay away from trees, power lines, scaffolding, and open fields.
• If you must drive, slow down, allow extra time, and never drive through standing water or around barricades.
• After the storm, treat every downed power line as live, and do not approach, touch, or drive over it.
• Check on older adults, people with disabilities, and neighbors who may need help, especially if the power goes out.
• Report fallen trees and dangerous hanging branches to 311.
• Call 911 if a tree has struck a person, an occupied vehicle, or a building, or if a downed power line puts anyone in danger.
  
  For more information on how to prepare for severe weather such as thunderstorms, visit NYC.gov/BeReady. Sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency notification system, by visiting nyc.gov/notifynyc or texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692.