Clearer Skies Expected in Northeast as Storms Move Southward

New York|Clearer Skies Expected in Northeast as Storms Move Southward

Weather conditions were expected to clear in New York and across the Northeast on Tuesday as the storm system that brought widespread flooding shifts southward toward the Mid-Atlantic states.

A few lingering showers, with a slight chance of thunderstorms, were expected across parts of the New York City area, New Jersey, Long Island and southern Connecticut — but they were expected to clear by late morning.

The Weather Service said those areas were forecast to remain mostly dry on Tuesday, though there was a slight chance of brief showers or isolated thunderstorms, especially near coastal areas, during the afternoon and evening.

As the system moves south into the Mid-Atlantic, it is expected to weaken, but forecasters warned that it would continue to be fueled by moist air from the south. This could produce strong bursts of storms, with rainfall rates reaching up to two inches per hour.

The Weather Prediction Center issued a Level 2 out of 4 risk for excessive rainfall across parts of Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, eastern West Virginia, western North Carolina and the northwestern corner of South Carolina through Wednesday morning.

Flood watches were also in effect for most of Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C., through Tuesday evening.

The intense rainfall and flash flooding on Monday was driven by a slow-moving storm system that combined with abnormally high amounts of moisture in the air. This potent combination triggered intense storms that led to flash floods from central Virginia to New York City.

Some areas recorded up to seven inches of rain, according to Joe Wegman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. More than two inches of rain fell in Central Park between about 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., according to preliminary data from the Weather Service.

The active weather pattern is expected to continue for the rest of the week for portions of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, including New York City. The storms would not be as intense as Monday’s, but the risk for flash flooding will remain.