Threat of heavy rain, severe storms Sunday triggers First Alert Weather Day in Tri-State Area
CBS News New York's First Alert Weather Team is issuing a string of First Alert Weather Days due to the threat of storms and intense heat.
Sunday brings the threat of heavy rain and strong to severe thunderstorms in the afternoon and early evening, followed by high levels of heat and humidity Monday and Tuesday.
Yet again, smoke from Canadian wildfires has made its way into the Tri-State Area. The result has been incredibly hazy skies and poor air quality levels, triggering an Air Quality Alert for the entire region through the weekend.
The smoke and haze will linger into Sunday, before eventually improving by Sunday night. Until then, air quality levels will remain rather poor.
Thunderstorm threat returns Sunday
In addition to the hazy skies, a few showers are possible through the overnight hours, with lows in the low 70s. Those showers will increase in coverage and intensity by Sunday morning, and some heavy downpours are likely.
Subsequent rounds of showers and thunderstorms will develop throughout the day. Some peeks of sun in the afternoon will help destabilize the atmosphere, leading to an enhanced threat of severe thunderstorms that could last into the evening hours.
How much rain will the Tri-State Area get Sunday?
High levels of humidity in place during this timeframe will allow the storms to easily put down 1-2 inches of rain, wherever they form. Locally higher amounts are possible, and thus the risk of flash flooding is elevated.
A few of the storms could contain damaging winds as well. Highs will top out in the low 80s.
After about 8 p.m., much of the storm activity should come to an end.
Second heatwave of 2025 expected to begin Monday
In the wake of a stormy Sunday, our second heatwave of 2025 is set to begin on Monday. From Monday through Wednesday, highs in the low to mid 90s can be expected, with heat indices in the low 100s.
