By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-22 16:30:52 | Updated at 2026-06-22 18:19:14
1 hour ago
New York City was set to be battered by torrential rains and heavy winds Monday — likely causing even more chaos for commuters already grappling with tonight’s World Cup match at Metlife Stadium.
Soccer fans can expect to get a bad deal, too — umbrellas are notably among the items they are barred from bringing with them to the stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
A severe-flash-flood warning and travel advisory have been issued for the metro area, with the storms expected to roll in beginning around 2 p.m. and continue through the night, when Norway and Senegal will face off at MetLife.
Some parts of the Big Apple could see up to 4 inches of rain Monday, officials said. Kevin C. Downs for NY PostThe wicked weather could bring wind gusts of up to 50 mph and dump up to 4 inches of rain in areas at a whopping rate of 2 inches per hour during the strongest bands, according to the New York City Office of Emergency Management.
The total rainfall is expected to reach 0.75 to 2 inches citywide, with NYCOEM warning that the downpours could cause severe flash flooding on roadways, underpasses and basements.
Those traveling in the evening — especially fans heading to the World Cup for 8 p.m. kickoff — should “plan accordingly” and can likely expect delays, said Carl Erickson, a senior meteorologist at Accuweather, to The Post.
The strongest storms are expected between 7 and 10 p.m.
If lightning strikes with 8 miles of Metlife Stadium, FIFA officials will call a 30-minute mandatory delay, with each subsequent strike resetting the half-hour, according to USA Today.
Norway and Senegal are set to kick off their World Cup match at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey at 8 p.m. REUTERSThe storm combined with the World Cup match could have a major impact on the evening commute.
Trains departing from Penn Station will already be limited solely to those attending the soccer game from 3:20 p.m. to 7:01 p.m., according to NJ Transit. Only those with tickets to the game will be allowed to get off in Secaucus, NJ.
Regular customers instead must take the PATH service from the 33rd Street Station in Manhattan for travel to Hoboken or Newark Penn Station in New Jersey to reach their destination.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city has been preparing for these storms since Thursday, clearing catch basins and inspecting flood-prone areas.
The city’s Downed Tree Task Force is on an alert, and its Tow Truck Task Force is ready to help vehicles stranded in floodwaters, City Hall said.
Temperatures should remain mild throughout the day, with highs in the mid 70s, according to Erickson.
New Yorkers can expect drier conditions Tuesday.
