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Residents of Albany and the surrounding Capital Region are being advised to prepare for possible flash flooding today (July 31) as a significant weather system moves through the area. According to forecasters, moderate to heavy rainfall could result in precipitation amounts of up to three inches in some locations. The storms may also bring hail and strong winds, which could lead to power outages. A complete list of watches and warnings is available at alerts.weather.gov.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Weather Prediction Center has placed major cities along the Interstate 95 corridor, including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City, in a Level 3 out of 4 flood risk. This warning affects about 23 million people, as reported by FOX Weather.
The storms are expected to begin as early as 1 p.m., with some of the heaviest rain possibly falling during the late afternoon rush hour. The heavy rain could continue well into the evening, potentially causing significant disruptions. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has issued a travel advisory for Thursday and Friday, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to set up flood prevention measures in advance, as reported by ABC News.
As residents prepare for the impending weather, the Atlantic Basin remains quiet, though forecasters anticipate increased activity in August. Meanwhile, the Pacific Ocean is experiencing tropical activity, with Tropical Storm Iona in the Central Pacific and newly formed Tropical Storm Gil in the Eastern Pacific being monitored by meteorologists.