Storm system slams NYC: Expect heavy rain, 40 mph wind gusts

NEW YORK - Wild weather is blowing through our region tonight, bringing strong winds and torrential rainfall later this evening. 

Storms moving through the area could produce lightning and thunder, along with damaging wind gusts of up to 30 to nearly 40 miles per hour.

Check below for the weather forecast and live weather updates:

Watch live: Fox Weather live updates

Heavy rainfall expected

At least another half an inch to two-thirds of an inch of rain is set to fall across the region, bringing rainfall totals into the inch-and-a-half to two inch region for much of the area, although the National Weather Service says that 4 to 5 inches of rain are possible in southern Connecticut and on Long Island.

CREDIT: FOX Weather

Flood concerns remain in Connecticut until early Thursday morning. 

A high wind warning is in effect for all of Long Island, while a wind advisory is in effect for New York City, parts of southern Westchester County and eastern areas of Hudson and Bergen Counties until 10 p.m.

Flood watches in effect

Flood Watches have been posted for millions of people across the region as the combination of rain and snowmelt could become problematic for communities in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

Preparations for extreme weather were already underway in Connecticut, with Eversource – an energy provider in the state – saying it was closely monitoring the forecast and was planning accordingly.

Warnings over high winds

The high wind gusts are also concerning because many people have decorated for Christmas, including inflatable decorations that could fly away during the highest gusts.

Experts are warning people to use stakes, sandbags and even twine to prevent the inflatable Santa Claus from taking flight. To be extra safe, store the decorations inside until weather conditions improve.