New York is in for a warm, sticky, and increasingly stormy Sunday, with highs near 84°F this afternoon before showers and thunderstorms move in — and the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch running from this afternoon through Monday night, so today’s the day to plan around the rain rather than fight it.
Today’s Setup
A cold front that pushed through overnight has stalled just south of the city, and a shortwave riding along it will spark showers and storms this afternoon, mainly north and west of the five boroughs. Highs reach near 84°F before temperatures actually fall to around 81°F in the afternoon as clouds and rain move in. Winds stay light out of the south at 5 to 9 mph. Tonight is the bigger story: showers and thunderstorms become widespread, with a 90% chance of rain, some storms capable of heavy downpours, and 1 to 2 inches of new rainfall possible as deep tropical moisture and a low-level jet stream in from the east.
Rain, Wind, And Flood Risk
The NWS’s key message: multiple rounds of heavy showers and storms from this afternoon through Monday night could produce flash flooding as rain totals stack up over already-saturated ground. There’s also a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms across most of the area this afternoon and evening, though southeastern Connecticut and eastern Long Island are excluded from that risk. Monday looks similar to tonight — highs near 75°F falling to around 68°F, with another 90% chance of showers and storms and 1 to 2 more inches of rain possible. If storms knock out power near you, the DARAN 288Wh Power Station is a smart backup to keep phones and small devices charged through the outage.
Yankees Gameday And This Week’s Events
The New York Yankees host the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium tonight, right as heavier rain and storm chances ramp up — tailgaters should watch the radar closely and have a rain plan ready. Grab a packable rain jacket for the walk to the gate; a New York Yankees jersey or New York Yankees fitted cap works either way, rain or shine. Get tickets on SeatGeek or Find tickets on StubHub if you still need seats. Looking ahead, the Mets host the Kansas City Royals at Citi Field Tuesday and Wednesday. If you’d rather stay dry indoors tonight, Hamilton (NY) is on stage at the Richard Rodgers Theatre — see our Hamilton weather and packing guide — and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child runs Tuesday at the Lyric Theatre (show details). JAY-Z 25 hits Yankee Stadium July 11, and we’ve got a full weather outlook for that show; a JAY-Z t-shirt is a fun pickup while you wait.
What To Wear Or Bring
Skip the flimsy umbrella that flips inside out in gusty storm winds — a packable rain jacket holds up better, and waterproof hiking boots are worth it if you’re navigating Central Park paths or flooded sidewalks. Keep a compact travel umbrella in your bag anyway for the lighter spells between storm rounds. Browse our outdoor gear deals for more rain-ready picks this week.
Dinner Idea Tonight
With thunderstorms rolling through and steamy, humid air outside, tonight’s a good night to stay in and let a programmable slow cooker do the work — chili, beef stew, or a big pot of soup all fit the mood. An enameled cast iron Dutch oven works just as well on the stove if you’d rather simmer it that way. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Monday stays unsettled with highs near 75°F, falling to around 68°F, and another 90% chance of showers and storms — heavy rain remains the top concern given how saturated the ground already is heading into Monday night. Keep an eye on the flood watch through Monday night and plan indoor backups for outdoor plans until it clears.
