Severe Thunderstorm Watch in Effect For Nassau County

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Nassau County.

The watch, which also applies to all of New York City, went into effect at 3:10 p.m. and will expire at 10 p.m.

The NWS says:

• THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS AND FLASH FLOODING TODAY...MAINLY IN THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS COULD PRODUCE HEAVY RAIN WITH MAXIMUM HOURLY RAINFALL RATES APPROACHING 1 INCH PER HOUR. IF THESE HEAVIER SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVE OVER THE SAME LOCATIONS... FLASH FLOODING OF URBAN...LOW LYING...AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS WOULD BE POSSIBLE. A FEW THUNDERSTORMS COULD ALSO BECOME SEVERE...WITH DAMAGING WIND GUSTS OF AT LEAST 58 MPH.

An isolated tornado is "not out of the question," the NWS says. 

A severe thunderstorm by definition is a thunderstorm that produces one inch hail or larger in diameter and/or winds equal or exceed 58 miles an hour. During a severe thunderstorm watch, residents should review severe thunderstorm safety rules and be prepared to move a place of safety if threatening weather approaches, the NWS says.

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The full forecast:

This Afternoon: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 72. South wind around 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight- Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 69. Southwest wind 9 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. West wind 11 to 13 mph.