First Alert Weather Day Issued for Heavy Rain, Storms in New York Area

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The CBS News New York First Alert Weather Team has issued a First Alert Weather Day as a potent cold front and low-pressure system approach the Tri-State Area on Monday, bringing periods of heavy rain, strong winds, and the potential for severe thunderstorms across New York City, Long Island, Connecticut, and eastern New Jersey.

Why it matters

Heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and the possibility of tornadoes pose a serious threat to public safety and infrastructure in the densely populated New York metropolitan region. Advance warning allows residents and officials to prepare and take appropriate precautions.

The details

A Wind Advisory will be in effect from 2 p.m. Monday through 4 a.m. Tuesday, with wind gusts potentially reaching or exceeding 60 mph, especially along the coast. A Flood Watch has also been issued for Fairfield County from Monday night through Tuesday morning. The storms may impact the morning and evening commutes, and a squall line of severe thunderstorms is expected to barrel through between 8-11 p.m., bringing the risk of damaging winds, torrential downpours, and even a slim chance of tornadoes, mainly to the west of the city.

• Overnight, temperatures will gradually rise into the 50s by dawn.
• After a brief lull in activity during the mid-morning hours, rain and thunderstorms will fill back in for the afternoon and evening hours.
• A squall line of storms is expected to move through between 8-11 p.m. on Monday.
• As the cold front passes through on Monday night, the rain could end as a period of light snow.
• Highs on Tuesday, St. Patrick's Day, will only reach the low 40s.

What’s next

Residents and officials in the affected areas should monitor weather reports closely and take appropriate precautions, such as securing outdoor furniture and being prepared for potential power outages or flooding.