A messy mix of rain and wind from an approaching strong storm is expected in New York City in the next few days.
While the weather could cause a few problems, such as minor flooding and traffic snarls, it’s expected to clear by Sunday morning, just in time for the annual New York City Marathon.
“Sunday is going to bring the best weather of the week,” said Jay Engle, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Upton, N.Y. “It’ll be dry, and partly to mostly sunny with a light breeze.”
Key things to know for the forecast:
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The heaviest rain is expected in Manhattan on Thursday.
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The chances of rain diminish Friday, with winds increasing more on Saturday.
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Cool, sunny weather is expected on Sunday with an afternoon high of 57 degrees.
A storm system that is forecast to push west from the Tennessee Valley and the Appalachians into the Mid-Atlantic on Wednesday is bringing the wet, windy weather. This storm is not a nor’easter, Mr. Engle said, as it’s coming from inland areas rather than off the Atlantic Coast. As the storm dumps rain over New York City on Thursday, it’s also expected to spread across New England.
The first wave of rain is expected in New York City late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, with showers becoming heavier and more widespread in the afternoon.
“We’re going to see consistent rain during the day Thursday, and then late Thursday evening into Friday morning, the rain tapers off,” Mr. Engle said.
Flooding could occur in areas with poor drainage, but significant flooding is unlikely.
Rainfall totals across Manhattan are expected to be between about one to two inches.
While the chance for rain in the greater New York City area is forecast to decrease significantly Friday into Saturday after the system exits the region, winds are expected to crank up. Friday will be windy and Saturday even windier, Mr. Engle said.
In the best-case and most likely scenario, maximum wind speeds will reach about 35 to 40 miles per hour.
The winds are expected to ease just in time for the marathon on Sunday morning, when more than 55,000 runners will take off from Staten Island before traversing Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan and finishing in Central Park. An estimated two million spectators will cheer them on.
Temperatures are forecast to be at their highest this week on Thursday with daytime highs in the upper 50s to mid-60s. They will be cooler on Friday and through the weekend, with afternoon highs in the mid-50s.
When runners start Sunday morning, the temperatures will be in the 40s and probably close to 50 degrees by midmorning. In the afternoon, Central Park is expected to hit a high of 57 degrees.
“It’s going to be kind of cool and dry,” Mr. Engle said. “It’s actually really good marathon weather because you don’t want it humid and unusually warm.”
Amy Graff is a Times reporter covering weather, wildfires and earthquakes.
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