AccuWeather: Late shower, rainy night

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

ByEyewitness News WABC logo

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Wednesday begins with early brightness, but clouds will steadily increase as the day goes on. Most of the daylight hours stay dry, though a late-day shower can't be ruled out, especially west of the city. Afternoon temperatures top out in the low 60s, then slip back into the 50s along the coast as an onshore breeze develops.

Air quality will be good, though pollen levels remain on the high side, with oak, birch, and maple contributing most. The UV index reaches 6, so some sun protection is still a smart idea when we do catch breaks of sunshine.

The main weather event arrives Wednesday night, when a period of steadier rain moves through. The best window for rain looks to be between 8 p.m. and roughly 2 to 4 a.m. Thursday. Rainfall totals have trended a bit lower, averaging around a half an inch, though a few spots could still approach three-quarters of an inch to an inch if localized downpours develop.

A rumble or two of thunder is possible, but no severe weather is expected. Overnight temperatures settle near 50 degrees.

By Thursday morning, there may be lingering damp spots or some residual clouds, especially around sunrise. However, the trend through the day is toward improvement. Clouds break for sunshine, faster inland than near the coast, allowing temperatures to climb back into the low 60s during the afternoon.

Friday brings a mix of sun and clouds, with more sunshine in the morning and increasing clouds later in the day. A passing shower is possible, mainly north and west of the metro area, but most stay dry. Overall, it feels more like early April than early May.

This weekend, we're keeping an eye on a coastal system tracking along the Mid-Atlantic. Right now, it appears to be a near miss, staying mainly to our south. Saturday and Sunday bring a mix of clouds and sunshine, possibly with higher clouds at times. Temperatures hover around 60 degrees, with a light breeze on Sunday.