Heavy Rain Forecast for Central New York This Week

Multiple storm systems will bring several inches of rain through the weekend

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:18am

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Central New York is bracing for a prolonged period of heavy rain and potential thunderstorms starting Monday night and continuing through the weekend. Forecasters warn that rainfall rates exceeding 1 to 2 inches in a six-hour period could cause flash flooding, with total rainfall amounts of several inches possible as successive weather systems track across the Great Lakes region.

Why it matters

The wet weather pattern is expected to persist through the weekend, with a strong high-pressure system over the western Atlantic forcing weather systems to track repeatedly across the Great Lakes region and funnel Gulf moisture northward. This could lead to localized flooding, especially in areas with poor drainage or near small streams and creeks, prompting the National Weather Service to advise residents to monitor updated forecasts closely.

The details

A warm front will stall over the area Monday night into Tuesday, bringing widespread showers that could become heavy at times. Tuesday will be even warmer, with temperatures climbing into the upper 60s, but areas near Lake Ontario will remain much cooler due to the stalled front. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the day, with the heaviest rain likely on Tuesday night. The National Weather Service said that multiple weather systems will bring repeated rounds of rain through the weekend as a stationary front slowly drifts across the region.

  • Monday night into Tuesday: Widespread showers, potentially heavy at times
  • Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, with the heaviest rain likely at night
  • Tuesday through Wednesday: Stationary front slowly drifts across the region, triggering repeated rounds of precipitation
  • Thursday: A warm front lifts back north, triggering another round of precipitation
  • Through the weekend: Wet weather pattern expected to persist as a strong high-pressure system over the western Atlantic blocks weather systems from moving offshore

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather-related warnings and advisories.

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What they’re saying

“Residents should monitor updated forecasts closely as the timing and intensity of rainfall periods remain uncertain.”

— National Weather Service

The takeaway

This prolonged period of heavy rain and potential flooding highlights the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events and the need for residents to stay informed about the latest forecasts and potential impacts in their local communities.