NEW YORK — Better wear a poncho to the ball drop. More than an inch of rain will soak the massive crowds expected to gather in Times Square for the annual New Year's Eve celebration, according to the National Weather Service.

The showers will mostly hit after 3 p.m. Monday and continue into the night, with heavy rainfall possible at times, the weather service says. The NYPD's tight security scheme bans umbrellas from the viewing areas, so spectators should wear a watertight outer layer to stay dry. "There is a chance the heaviest and steadiest rain departs Times Square in time for the ball drop at midnight," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski told the website.



Night owls may get some relief heading home from any after parties — the rain should taper off in the early morning and dissipate by about 6 a.m., the weather service's forecast shows. Monday's temperatures, on the other hand, won't make the wait as miserable as last year's frigid conditions. The mercury will break into the low 40s late Monday morning and rise through the day before hitting 48 degrees at midnight, according to the forecast. That's about nine degrees above normal.

New Year's Day should be more pleasant, with sunny skies and the temperature falling to around 48 by 5 p.m., the forecast says. But wind gusts stronger than 40 MPH could hit the tri-state region Tuesday morning, the weather service says. Here's a closer look at the forecast for this week, courtesy of the National Weather Service.

Monday (New Year's Eve)

Rain, mainly after 3pm. High near 48. Southeast wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Monday Night

Rain, mainly before 4am. The rain could be heavy at times. Temperature rising to around 54 by 5am. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Tuesday (New Year's Day)

Mostly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 48 by 5pm. Breezy, with a northwest wind 18 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph. Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. Northwest wind 9 to 14 mph.