Some of the storm cells that develop Thursday have the potential to pack a big punch with heavy downpours, small hail, and damaging wind gusts as strong as 60 to 70 mph.

Potentially severe thunderstorms are expected to lash the New York City metro area later Thursday, bringing the threat of damaging straight-line wind and hail as we kick off one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

Thursday is a hot and sunny day, but we do have a NEXT Weather alert as isolated storms could develop this afternoon. Meteorologist Kate Bilo has more on the storm's timing.