NOW: Precipitation begins late Thursday morning.

NEXT: STORM WATCH - Significant rain and wind and a dramatic drop in temperature/icy conditions will impact holiday travel Thursday evening into Friday.

A coastal flooding warning was issued for the Sound Shore for widespread minor to moderate localized flooding near the waterfront and shoreline between 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Friday.

Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Meredith Garofalo says heavy rain and strong winds are expected to impact holiday travel the end of this week.

OVERNIGHT: Increasing clouds. Lows around 28.

THURSDAY: STORM WATCH - Cloudy and dry to start. Rain develops late-morning and becomes steadier and heavier into the evening. Isolated storms are possible. Temperatures gradually rise into and through the 40s. It will become windy with gusts overnight between 30 and 50 mph. Power outages likely. Temperatures continue to rise overnight into the 50s.

FRIDAY: STORM WATCH - BITTER BLAST - Temperatures in the 50s to start. Wet and windy with rain totals between 1 and 3 inches. Localized flooding is likely. Wind gusts between 30 and 60 mph. Rain may briefly end as a wintry mix or wet snow, not amounting to much. However, temperatures will crash into the teens and 20s Friday afternoon through the evening. This can lead to a dangerous flash freeze, icy travel in time for the evening commute. 

SATURDAY -  CHRISTMAS EVE: BITTER BLAST - Sun and clouds, breezy and frigid. Highs around 23, but it will feel much colder with the wind. Lows near 14.

SUNDAY - CHRISTMAS DAY: BITTER BLAST - Mostly sunny and still very cold. Highs around 26. Lows around 16.

MONDAY: Mostly to partly sunny. Still cold. Highs around 30. Lows around 22.