As of 2/24/2016 at 8:00 PM EST

ALERT: THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN UPTON, NEW YORK HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH EFFECTIVE UNTIL 2:00 AM EST THURSDAY FOR THE ENTIRE NYC METRO AREA.  A TORNADO WATCH IS CURRENTLY IN EFFECT FOR LOCATIONS JUST TO THE WEST OF THE METRO AREA.

Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to impact the area later tonight.  Moderate to heavy rain has already begun to fall across some portions of the area.  By 11:45 PM tonight, a line of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected to envelop the area, potentially bringing hail, strong winds, lighting, flooding, and even some tornadoes along with it.

Look out for emergency weather warnings that the NWS may issue over the following several hours.