AccuWeather Alert: Poor air and storms

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

ByEyewitness News WABC logo

NEW YORK (WABC) -- An AccuWeather Alert takes effect Saturday for another surge of smoke that pushes back into the region, and the potential for severe storms that could bring downpours and an isolated tornado.

The first half of Saturday is more focused on the poor air quality and then weather conditions will pivot to the storm threat, which carries a Level 2 and 3 severe threat across the Tri-State area. It will be elevated from the city on westward and the worst storms would be during the afternoon and evening hours.

The primary threats include flooding, downpours, damaging winds, some hail and even an isolated tornado.

The flash flood threat is real because we have multiple rounds of thunderstorms coming through. A Level 2 flash flood risk is through central New Jersey into New York City and into parts of Long Island, but the entire area is at risk for that because we're looking at rounds of thunderstorms and rainfall rates that could go up to two inches an hour.

A Flood Watch has been issued for New York City and parts of the Tri-State area, including New Jersey and Westchester County.

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As for the tornado risk, much of the Tri-State area is at a 5% risk, and parts of Long Island and areas far northeast of the city are at a 2% risk - which is still significant.

With the atmosphere twisting and turning, we could see a spin up, especially in the afternoon and evening hours.

By the time we get to midnight, that's when things are starting to move offshore, and cleaner air is starting to come in on a northwest breeze by daybreak on Sunday.

Skies will get sunnier, and the humidity will drop, and it should be a very comfortable afternoon, around 80 degrees, maybe lower- to mid-80s across parts of New Jersey for the World Cup final.

By next week, humidity might be even lower on Monday with a return of sunshine.

Then storms are back from midday Tuesday. We may have a tough time getting totally through Wednesday, so showers could linger at least through midday, with maybe some drying and some brightening later in the afternoon hours, setting the stage for some great weather next Thursday and Friday.