NAM model showing heavy rain over our area Friday Night.

First of all, happy Autumn! Today is the first day of calendar Autumn. Unfortunately, beautiful autumn weather won't be able to ring in the season. A storm system in the middle and upper levels of the atmosphere is approaching our area, and although it remains to our west today, it's interaction with tropical moisture will bring the potential for heavy rain on Friday. Rain is forecast to move from south to north from the Carolinas towards our area, along a warm front and in response to a developing low pressure system. Tropical moisture in place will allow for the rain to be heavy at times, and although the heaviest rain may fall over a relatively small area (where training occurs, or rain moving over the same area for an extended period of time), most of the area will recieve showers which will be steady and heavy at times during the afternoon. Clouds will be a sure bet and it will be hard to see sun today to say the very least. The heaviest rain may actually redevelop Friday night into Saturday as another low pressure system develops near our area. The storm system will remain a significant inhibitor to pleasant weather through the weekend and possibly even into the beginning of next week. Highs today will only reach the upper 60's to low 70's, but it will feel plenty humid with the high moisture content and southerly flow.

THE FORECAST...

Today (Friday): Cloudy, with rain likely. The rain could be heavy at times. Highs in the upper 60's to lower 70's. Bring an umbrella along. You may be warm in a sweatshirt.

Tonight: Cloudy, rain likely. Heavy at times once again. Low temperatures in the 60's, with very moist air still around. Again, bring the rain gear if you're going to be out and about.

AUTUMN EQUINOX IS TODAY...

Today is the Autumn Equinox, or one of the very rare days in each year where the sun rises directly in the east and sets directly in the west. More importantly, for those who like the warm weather, yesterday was the last day of summer. For those who are looking forward to the cooler weather, we're just getting started. Times, and seasons are changing. We're diving head first into a long 6 months of cooler and wintry weather. We hope you stick around to enjoy it with us.

Article written by John Homenuk. Published September 23rd, 2011 at 1:36am. Looking for a forecast? See New York Metro Weather's Long Range Forecast for current work week, or view our Technical Forecast Discussion for the more serious weather enthusiasts. Also, check out our new Forecast Overview tab. For up to the minute details on forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.