Floods Possible as Thunderstorms Sweep Through Ahead of Hurricane

Thunderstorms and heavy rains tonight will serve as a prelude to Hurricane Irene's impending arrival this weekend.

Temperatures will peak in the low 80s today, with a heavier cloud cover settling over the area toward late morning. As the day turns cloudy, rainstorms are expected to sweep through, dropping up to half an inch of precipitation on the Port Chester and Sound Shore areas, according to forecast data from the National Weather Service's New York office.

The inclement weather will likely intensify later in the day, ushering in thunderstorms and heavier rains. Temperatures will drop to the high 60s, with most of the rain falling before 11 p.m., forecasts predict.

With another half-inch of rain possible in the evening, the weather service is warning of "localized flash flooding"  throughout the area. 

Friday will be mostly sunny with highs in the mid-80s, bringing a short reprieve from the clouds and rain before Hurricane Irene arrives this weekend. Today's thunderstorms, combined with new rainfall from the hurricane, could worsen the potential for floods and create hazardous spots in the Sound Shore area.

While the weather service warns that "the exact timing is uncertain," current weather models predict the Sound Shore area will feel the brunt of the hurricane from Saturday evening into Sunday.

Check back with Port Chester Patch for updates on the hurricane's impact on local roads, emergency services and safety conditions.

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