Tropical Storm Elsa To Hit Close To NYC, Forecasters Say

NEW YORK CITY — Coastal areas right outside New York City face a tropical storm warning while the city itself — so far — looks to be spared.

Tropical Storm Elsa is barreling up the coast, about 650 miles southwest of New York City as of Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

"The storm will then pass near or over the Mid Atlantic coast late tonight, and near or over Long Island and southeast New England on Friday morning," the tropical storm warning states.

A hurricane local statement covers New York City, but the more-serious tropical storm warning itself applies to Long Island and southern Connecticut.

Those areas could face wind, flooding rain and tornadoes, according to the warning.

But the warning also cautions about wider effects, especially rain, that could hit New York City.

"A widespread rainfall of 1 to 3 inches with locally higher amounts is forecast from this afternoon into Friday," the warning states. "The highest amounts are forecast to be from NYC to the north and west."

A hazardous weather outlook and flash flood watch are in effect for the city through Friday, which is forecast to be a wet day.

Here's the National Weather Service forecast:

Thursday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Light south wind increasing to 6 to 11 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 71. Southwest wind 9 to 13 mph becoming south after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 86. North wind 7 to 16 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a slight chance of showers between 9pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 83. North wind 5 to 8 mph.

Saturday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.

Sunday
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 50%.