Heavy rain, flash flood threat return to NYC area Sunday. Get the First Alert Weather Day forecast.

Rainy weather is expected to return to the New York City area Sunday night into Monday, bringing with it the threat of flooding.

A First Alert Weather Day has been issued due to the threat of downpours that could cause localized flooding, especially southwest of New York City.

The area remained dry through Sunday morning with increasing clouds. Skies turned cloudy into the afternoon, and showers were expected to start in the early evening hours.

Into Sunday night and especially during the overnight period, some heavier downpours will be possible. While not everyone will see the heavy rain, where downpours do occur could cause localized flooding. The trends have been south as far as the best risk of these heavier pockets.

The First Alert period is Sunday night after sunset, through about 4 a.m. Monday. We can't rule out an isolated strong thunderstorm, but the severe risk with this remains low as of now. Rainfall totals will likely be .5 to 1.5 inches with localized higher amounts. This will not be a widespread heavy rain event, but the risk for heavier cells is there.

It continues to look like a quick exit Monday morning with just a lingering shower early on, then brighter skies into the afternoon. A hit or miss shower/storm Monday afternoon is possible but should be fairly isolated.