I be more worried about the cold than the rain. It will have to take the rain eventually. If you have good draining soil it shouldn't be a problem when the weather is warmer. I'd bring it in until it warms up.

Yes, bring it in. Basil cannot tolerate cold. I don't let it get under 45F.

Hello from the other end of NY State in Western NY/Finger Lakes!

In my experience, basil suffers from any temperatures under 60 F. In the fall, all growth stops once we start seeing temperatures that require a jacket or sweater. And we had a very cold night last night indeed. They were forecasting record cold (below 22 F, real temperatures!) last night. I haven't yet seen the forecast today but do not doubt it got that cold. That is enough to damage more hardy spring growth let alone heat-loving tender plants like basil.

I personally don't plant basil outside until Memorial Day along with my tomatoes and peppers. You can probably do it sooner - your zone is warmer than mine but I would guess you still have some weeks to go before that would be safe to do. Check your "last frost date" and plan accordingly.

FataMorgana

Like the others said, the cold is more concern than the rain.

It seems like since basil was one of those that might even continue growing with the rootball in water, it is definitely one of the herbs that I worry about less when there is too much water.

Hi everybody, thanks for all the info! I did bring it back in and I still haven't brought it back out because at night the temperature has been under 50 degrees. Good to know that it should really be at least 60 before I put it back.

It's doing ok, except today I noticed that one of the stalks has turned brown near the soil. I touched it and it felt hard, not slimy or rotting. I did a search and found that's what it does to protect itself from the cold, but it usually happens at the end of the season. Is it bad that it's happening now? Will it ever go back to green when it's warmer?