Active Weather
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has identified parts of the Mid-Atlantic in today's risk area for scattered severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. An upper-level trough moving southeast from the Great Lakes into the Ohio Valley is driving instability ahead of a frontal zone, with dewpoints in the upper 60s to lower 70s°F providing ample fuel for storms.
For New York and New Jersey, the primary hazard is strong to severe wind gusts of 50 to 65 mph — strong enough to snap tree limbs, down power lines, and send patio furniture airborne. Isolated hail is also possible. The strongest storms are expected in the afternoon and early evening hours, with the risk diminishing after dark as the system moves offshore.
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are not affected by this system. Trade wind showers continue across the Caribbean with no tropical activity in the basin.
Infrastructure
No active disaster declarations, wildfire incidents, or major infrastructure disruptions in the Mid-Atlantic today. Power grids are operating normally across New York and New Jersey.
If today's storms produce the forecast wind gusts, scattered power outages are possible, particularly in areas with mature tree canopy. Have flashlights accessible and keep phones charged through the early afternoon.
Public Health
No active public health advisories specific to the Mid-Atlantic. Air quality is within normal ranges.
At the national level, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has two active Health Advisory notices. The first, issued May 19, concerns an Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda caused by the Bundibugyo virus. The World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17. The risk of spread to U.S. households is considered low. The second, updated May 18, monitors an Andes virus (hantavirus) cluster linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic. No confirmed U.S. cases have been reported, and the domestic risk remains extremely low. Neither advisory requires household action beyond general awareness.
Watch Item
Additional showers and thunderstorms are possible Friday and into the weekend as the stalled frontal pattern continues to push disturbances through the region. No severe weather is currently forecast for those days, but the pattern remains active.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on Monday, June 1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its 2026 season outlook on May 21, forecasting a below-normal season: 8 to 14 named storms, 3 to 6 hurricanes, and 1 to 3 major hurricanes. A developing El Niño pattern is expected to suppress Atlantic tropical development. While encouraging, even quiet seasons can produce landfalling storms — preparation matters regardless of the forecast. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands face the most direct tropical exposure in this region. Now is the time to confirm that hurricane kits are stocked and evacuation routes are known. For households in the New York and New Jersey coastal zones, the start of hurricane season is a good reminder to review flood insurance policies — remember that standard homeowner's insurance does not cover flood damage.
NOAA also forecasts an above-average Eastern Pacific hurricane season for 2026, driven by El Niño. While this primarily affects Hawaii and the southwestern U.S., it's a reminder that tropical systems are a multi-basin concern.
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