Grab your umbrellas and double-check your commute, New York.
A cold front is moving into the region, and it’s bringing some serious weather along with it.
City officials have officially issued a travel advisory from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, warning locals to be on high alert for heavy rains, potential flash floods, and severe thunderstorms.
Here is a quick breakdown of what you need to know to stay dry and safe.
What to expect from today’s forecast
According to the National Weather Service, scattered showers and thunderstorms will kick off late this morning and continue on and off through the evening. The highest chance of severe wet weather will hit before 11 p.m. tonight.
Because of this, a flood watch is in effect starting at 12:00 p.m. for parts of the tri-state area.
Meteorologists are predicting widespread rainfall of 0.5 to 1.5 inches across the five boroughs. However, if stronger storms develop over your neighborhood, those localized areas could see up to 2.5 inches of rain.
Things could also get a bit windy. Some of the more intense storms carry a risk of damaging wind gusts up to 65 mph and even small hail. Highs will hover right around 80 degrees in the city.
How to stay safe out there
If you do have to head out, officials from New York City Emergency Management are reminding locals to never drive, bike, or walk through floodwaters.
Submerged hazards and hidden electrical currents make flooded streets incredibly dangerous.
If you live in a basement apartment, stay alert today and be prepared to move to a higher floor if conditions suddenly worsen.
To get real-time alerts straight to your phone, you can text NOTIFYNYC to 692-692.
For anyone hoping to catch a quick beach day despite the clouds—rethink those plans. The NWS is warning of a high risk of life-threatening rip currents today along the Atlantic-facing coastlines of Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island.
The bright side for your weekend plans
The good news? This gloomy weather isn’t sticking around to ruin your weekend.
While Friday will stay mostly cloudy with a chance of lingering showers, the cold front is expected to drift offshore by the evening.
By Saturday, the humidity will drop and the sun will finally make a comeback. You can expect a mostly sunny, dry weekend with comfortable high temperatures sitting in the low to mid-80s.
Stay safe and dry today, NYC!