NYC Weather: Tornado Threat As Storms Approach, Forecasters Say

NEW YORK CITY — A tornado could arise in New York City as a storm front bears down on the city, forecasters warn.

The city is under a hazardous weather outlook Wednesday as an approaching cold front carries the potential for severe thunderstorms starting in the afternoon and into the evening, the National Weather Service states.

Forecasters later placed the city under a severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m.

"Strong to damaging wind gusts will be the main threat," the outlook states. "Hail and even an isolated tornado is also a possibility for NYC and points north and west of NYC."

The forecast Wednesday during the day calls for a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4 p.m. As the evening falls, that storm chance jumps to 60 percent.

Rainfall could be a quarter of an inch, or potentially even more if thunderstorms develop, the forecast states.

Here's the complete National Weather Service forecast:

Wednesday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 8 to 15 mph.

Wednesday night
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 10 p.m. Some of the storms could produce small hail and gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. West wind 8 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch are possible, with the potential for higher amounts in thunderstorms.

Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 77. Northwest wind 10 to 13 mph.

Thursday night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. North wind around 10 mph.

Friday
Rain likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 64. East wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are possible.

Friday night
Rain. Low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch are possible.

Saturday
Rain likely, mainly before 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Sunday
Partly sunny, with a high near 65.

Sunday night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Memorial Day
Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.