NWS: Flood watch issued for Nassau Saturday, then cooler temps arrive Sunday 

A low-pressure system will be bringing downpours to the region Saturday but the more intense rainfall is expected over New York City and Nassau County, the National Weather Service said.

There is a flood watch for the city and Nassau from 2 a.m. Saturday through Saturday night, with one to 2 inches of rain expected and up to four inches in some areas.

"If and where the heaviest rainfall rates develop the flooding could be locally significant, causing disruption to transportation, flooding of basements, first-floor residences and businesses, and underground infrastructure, and pose an elevated threat to life," the weather service said in an advisory Friday.

At the same time, remnants of Tropical Storm Phillipe will be moving through ocean waters off Long Island but forecasters say it is expected to be felt more in northern New England and Atlantic Canada.

"This frontal system will drag a cold front through the area Saturday into Saturday night while post-tropical cyclone Philippe tracks north, roughly 300 miles east of Montauk Point on Saturday. The post tropical low pressure tracks into northern New England and southeastern Canada Saturday night," the weather service said.

Moderate to heavy rain is forecast for most of Saturday, with gusty winds Saturday night. Rainfall amounts are not expected to reach the downpours that fell on Long Island last week, when about nine inches in Valley Stream led to severe street flooding that damaged several businesses there.

However, the weather service said that because the ground is already so saturated from prior rains, flooding can be heavier and triggered faster.

Clearing skies Sunday figure to bring fast-dropping mercury, as the daytime temperatures plummet from the recent record-setting 80s to a high of just 62 degrees, with overnight lows in the high 40s and more cooler weather forecast for the rest of the week. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul put out a release Friday advising state residents to be aware of the Saturday rain, urging "extreme caution when traveling,"

The New York City Emergency Management Department also put out an advisory saying New Yorkers should prepare for the rain and storms but adding: "Major, widespread impacts are not anticipated."

Those who live in a flood-prone area or in a basement apartment should remove their belongings from the floor and be prepared to evacuate in case of emergency, said Sheena Wright, Mayor Eric Adams’ first deputy and acting mayor while he is out of town on a tour of Latin America.

A small craft advisory remains in effect for all South Shore ocean waters from Sandy Hook, New Jersey, to Montauk Point until 8 p.m. Sunday. "Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions," the weather service warned in a statement.

With Matthew Chayes