Rain and Wind Lash Manhattan as City Heads Toward March Record Updated March 30, 2010 2:27pm

The city is on track for its rainiest March ever. (Flickr/La Valle PDX)

By Mariel S. Clark

DNAinfo News Editor

MANHATTAN — Rain boots and umbrellas continued to get a workout Tuesday as New York splashed its way toward the wettest March ever.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 10.23 inches of rain had fallen in Central Park during the month, according to National Weather Service data. If enough rain continued to fall Tuesday, the downpour for the month could eclipse the old record of 10.54 inches set in March of 1983.

Forecasters think matching the record is a possibility — Central Park is expected to get another two inches or more of rain by the time the storm moves away late Tuesday night, according to meteorologists. Even so, this March has already broken into the top three rainiest on record.

The rain combined with wind gusts in the 35 mph range could topple trees and power lines around the area, according to a statement from the National Weather Service.

In Queens, the OEM was reporting a power outage first thing in the morning.

The forecast called for the rain to begin to lessen Tuesday night with just a few lingering showers by Wednesday.

The city should have a chance to dry out later in the week. Sunshine and temperatures in the 70s are expected for Thursday through the weekend, forecasters said.