The watch was issued for Grande Ronde Valley, Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon, Southern Blue Mountains of Oregon, John Day Basin, Ochoco-John Day Highlands, East Slopes of the Oregon Cascades and Central Oregon as well as Wallowa County.

Storms and flood threats are headed for the New York City area, prompting a string of First Alert Weather Days through the end of the work week. Heavy rain that may cause flooding is expected both Thursday and Friday. A flood watch has been issued for most of the region from 2 p.m. Thursday through 2 p.m. Friday.

More than 6 inches of rain could fall in parts of New Jersey hardest hit by the thunderstorms Thursday afternoon into Friday morning, the weather service said.