Rain and thunderstorms will strike the Big Apple on the Fourth of July — but will likely end in time for fireworks, meteorologists said.
“It looks like it will dry out by the evening — so keep your fingers crossed,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines said Wednesday. “It’s good news for fireworks but not so great for afternoon picnics and cookouts.”
Storms and scattered showers will begin Thursday around 10 a.m. and stay through the afternoon, when temps will hit the high 80s. Humidity will make it feel like closer to 100.
The Fourth of July will be cooler, in the high 70s, with a 50 to 60 percent chance of rain in the morning and afternoon. But by 7 or 8 p.m., the chance of rain will drop to just 5 percent, according to AccuWeather.
The storms are due to Hurricane Arthur, which is expected to barrel up the coast on Thursday and Friday.
It also will cause rough water at New York City beaches, Kines said.
The storm will leave the New York area by Saturday, clearing the way for a sunny weekend.