New York, NY – Drivers and pedestrians around Central Park should brace for Friday afternoon thunderstorms as a surge of warm, humid air collides with a cooler front. Rain and potential lightning are expected to disrupt travel from early afternoon through evening hours.
According to the National Weather Service, a slight chance of showers begins Friday morning, intensifying into thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Temperatures will reach a springlike high near 72°F, but roadways—including FDR Drive and the West Side Highway—could turn slick as rain totals accumulate. South winds will range from 3 to 6 mph during the peak of the storm.
Saturday brings more instability, with showers likely and isolated thunderstorms again possible after 2 p.m. Conditions remain mostly cloudy, with a high near 75°F. Evening hours will remain damp as rain chances continue until 2 a.m. Sunday. Precipitation totals may exceed a quarter inch during heavier downpours.
Sunday clears out, with mostly sunny skies and a high around 73°F. Expect a cooler start Monday, with lows near 55°F and clear skies returning.
Looking ahead to the 5-day outlook:
- Monday: Sunny, high near 67°F
- Tuesday: Sunny, warming to near 74°F
- Tuesday Night: Low 56°F, clouds return
- Wednesday: 30% chance of showers, high 65°F
Prepare now by securing outdoor items, checking windshield wipers, and avoiding low-visibility routes during Friday’s peak hours. Updates remain in effect as rain chances linger through Saturday night.
