NYC rain timeline: See hour-by-hour forecast outlook

New York City and much of the tri-state area face a heightened flash flooding threat later Thursday, with rainfall rates exceeding 2 inches an hour possible at times through the evening commute.

Storms start pushing into the Hudson Valley during the afternoon and by peak commute time, they will be right over the city, delivering robust rainfall. Expect flooding on roadways and low-lying areas, a mess for rush hour.

Up to 5 inches of rain are possible in isolated spots, including the five boroughs, with a widespread 1 to 3 inches of rain expected elsewhere. Even an inch of rain an hour can pose major problems for mass transit.

THURSDAY, 2 P.M.