Watch Live: MTA officials discuss severe weather preparations to transit system ahead of storms
Severe storms are coming back to the Tri-State Area with a flood watch issued for New York City and parts of New Jersey.
The morning starts off wet for communities mainly inland. It's humid with temperatures in the 60s to low 70s.
Things ramp up in the afternoon with isolated to scattered downpours. Flash flooding is likely in the evening as severe thunderstorms soak the area.
It's a First Alert Weather Day due to the threat of strong-to-severe thunderstorms.
Is it going to rain today?
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic Counties until 11:15 a.m. Another has been issued for Fairfield, Rockland and Westchester Counties until 11:45 a.m.
These storms may contain damaging winds, large hail and torrential downpours.
Flood watches, warnings issued
A flood watch is in place from 8 a.m. Tuesday to 2 a.m. Wednesday for New York City, most of New Jersey, New York's northern suburbs and some parts of Connecticut.
Rain could fall at a rate of one to three inches per hour, totalling two to three inches or more by the time the storms pass.
A flood warning is in place for Sussex and Warren Counties in New Jersey until 1 p.m.
A flash flood warning is in place for Bergen, Essex and Passaic Counties until 1:30 p.m.
NYC gears up for severe weather
The New York City Emergency Management Department issued a weather alert and activated the city's Flash Flood Emergency Plan.
"This proactive approach includes pre-storm actions such as targeted inspection and clearing of catch basins in flood-prone areas," a news release stated.
Transportation officials announced a ban on empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks on all MTA bridges from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. due to high winds.
Weekend weather looking good
Once the wet weather passes, the rest of the week looks dry with lower humidity. Temperature-wise, highs will generally be in the lower 80s this week, which is below average for late July.
Clouds will gradually increase at night, but we stay dry. Lows will be in the 60s in the suburbs to around 70 in the city.
