The National Hurricane Center issued a Tropical Storm Warning for parts of New York and New Jersey on Thursday evening.

The entire coast from Connecticut to New Jersey is under the warning. Heavy downpours are possible along with gusts of 30 to 40 mph. Dangerous rip currents, high surf and beach erosion are expected along the coast.

Tropical Storm Fay formed just east of North Carolina around 5 p.m., according to the National Weather Center.

“A tropical storm warning is issued 36 hours before tropical-storm-forced-winds (sustained winds speeds of 39mph to 74mph) are anticipated,” according to New York City’s Office of Emergency Management. “During a Tropical Storm Warning, prepare your home and review your plan for evacuation in case an evacuation order is issued.”

Showers will develop as early as Friday morning. Periods of heavy downpours could occur throughout the afternoon and evening, which will lead to the development of flash flooding. Winds will be an issue by Friday afternoon and continue into the evening. Along coastal sections, winds could climb in excess of 35-45 mph during the afternoon and evening hours. Some spots could get 50 mph gusts.

Along the coast, Fay will cause heavy surf, creating some beach erosion along coastal sections. The risk for dangerous rip currents will be high and swimming is not advised. Despite all these issues along the coast, the risk for a storm surge will be minimal.

Fay’s center is forecast to move near the mid-Atlantic coast on Friday and then inland over the northeast United States on Saturday, according to the NWS. Fay is expected to strengthen Thursday night and Friday, but weaken as it moves inland on Saturday.

Tropical-storm-force winds from Fay extend up to 140 miles outward from the storm’s center, NWS officials said.

Fay is expected to produce 3 to 5 inches of rain along and near the storm’s track across the mid-Atlantic states into southeast New York and southern New England.

PIX11’s Andrew Cruz contributed to this report.