AccuWeather: Wetter south, drier late

AccuWeather forecast for NYC, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut

ByEyewitness News WABC logo

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The start of Saturday looks damp, particularly across areas south of the city, where the wettest conditions are expected. Throughout the morning, periods of rain will be more widespread, gradually becoming more scattered as the day unfolds.

By afternoon and early evening, coverage should begin to decrease, with even some breaks of sunshine developing, especially north of Interstate 80. Temperatures will remain relatively mild, topping out in the mid-70s, keeping the day from feeling overly hot despite the humidity.

The farther south you are, the higher the likelihood of encountering persistent rain throughout Saturday, including parts of central and southern New Jersey, where additional pulses of showers may redevelop later in the day. Meanwhile, areas to the north, including the Lower Hudson Valley and coastal Connecticut, stand a better chance of avoiding prolonged rainfall, though an isolated shower cannot be ruled out. Along the coast, a light southeast wind will keep ocean conditions modest, with waves running 2 to 3 feet and water temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to low 70s. Both rip current risk and air quality are expected to remain moderate.

By Saturday night, skies remain mostly cloudy and humid, but improvement is already on the way. Sunday emerges as the clear winner of the weekend, bringing back sunshine and much more favorable conditions. Temperatures will climb into the low to mid-80s, warm but not oppressive, although humidity will still be noticeable. Aside from a slight chance of a brief, isolated afternoon shower or thunderstorm, mainly north and west, conditions should stay dry for the majority of the day. It shapes up to be particularly accommodating for outdoor plans such as the Pride March, with a mix of sun and clouds and manageable heat.

The improved weather continues into Monday, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures beginning to climb toward 90 degrees. From there, attention turns to a significant warm-up that could evolve into the season's first heat wave for parts of the region. Inland areas may begin feeling the brunt of the heat as early as Tuesday, with highs pushing into the 90s and only a slight chance of a stray afternoon storm.

By midweek, the heat intensifies further. Wednesday will bring a combination of sizzling temperatures and the potential for isolated storms, with highs reaching into the low 90s. Thursday may end up being the hottest day of the stretch, with temperatures surging into the mid-90s, possibly even higher than currently forecast. By Friday, the city is likely to officially log a heat wave, defined by consecutive days at or above 90 degrees.

Looking ahead to the Fourth of July, there are early signs that temperatures may ease slightly from their peak, settling closer to the upper 80s. However, any relief from the heat could come with a trade-off, as the pattern may introduce the risk of thunderstorms. Timing those potential storms remains uncertain, but it's a familiar setup for early July, where heat and instability often go hand in hand.