Heavy rain, flash flooding expected to douse NYC for days — making for another wet boro bike tour

New York Post

03-05-2025

Start building your ark.
Buckets of rain are forecast to pour over New York City for four consecutive days starting Saturday night — likely making NYC's 5 Boro Bike Tour riders' fears of yet another wet race a reality.
The drenching will kick off around 8 p.m. with a robust round of thunderstorms and strong gusts, which will be strong enough to toss anything that isn't bolted down, forecasters warn.
3 A storm will douse New York City with rain for the next four days.
William C Lopez/New York Post
'Today we are under the possibility of severe storms,' Marrisa Lautenbacher, a Fox Weather meteorologist, told The Post.
'If anybody has any like trash bins, anything like loose lawn chairs, etc. — bring those inside.'
The heavy rainfall is coming to the metro area from a low-pressure system that has been 'sitting and spinning' over the Midwest and pulling the same moisture from the South that is making for a wet Kentucky Derby.
New Yorkers will be able to feel the impending rain all Saturday as the air grows increasingly humid.
3 The system will move in through the metro area starting Saturday evening.
The rain will let up Sunday morning, much to the relief of the 32,000 cyclists slated to ride in this year's 40-mile tour around the five boroughs — though the riders will have to be quick if they hope to escape getting wet.
'The bikers are essentially going to dodge the worst of the shower, so it's not going to be like a complete downpour for them — but it kinda gets close towards the end of the race,' said Lautenbacher, referring to the anticipated 2 p.m. event end time.
'It's not completely free and clear from the 7 a.m. start, but the chance of rain will increase throughout the race.'
3 Riders in the 5 Boro Bike Tour could escape the rain Sunday morning.
Tomas E. Gaston
The rain will pick up again that afternoon into the evening and will not stop until Wednesday, with Monday's rains expected to be the heaviest.
As much as 3 inches will fall on New York City through Wednesday coupled with strong, intense gusts, raising the risk of flash flooding.
Although daunting, the heavy rain will bring much-needed relief for the Big Apple, which has been especially dry in recent weeks.
Nearby New Jersey has been equally dry, causing a fire allegedly sparked by two teens to quickly spread and engulf more than 15,000 acres in flames.
'We definitely need it. This rain is good,' said Lautenbacher.