New York City faces an NYC tornado warning Saturday as a storm system brings an isolated tornado threat, damaging winds, and flooding downpours. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center has issued an enhanced risk for New York City and points west into most of New Jersey, with the strongest weather expected late Saturday afternoon and early evening.
The risk is level three out of five. The Storm Prediction Center is concerned about widespread damaging winds in excess of 60 mph, which could bring down tree limbs and cause power outages.
New York City and New Jersey
The National Weather Service said the approaching system could contain wind shear strong enough to spin out a twister, but the tornado threat is isolated. Damaging straight-line winds are more likely than a tornado, and that is the part of the forecast most likely to affect the widest area.
Flood watches have already been issued for Saturday in New York City and New Jersey. Torrential downpours may cause serious ponding on area roadways and rivers to rise, with rainfall rates up to two inches per hour possible throughout the period.
Late Saturday Night
The flood threat is expected to last all day on Saturday and continue into the night, while the severe weather threat should diminish late Saturday night. Sunday is expected to be pleasant, after the strongest period of wind and rain has passed.
For people in New York City and New Jersey, the practical window is late afternoon through the evening, when damaging winds and an isolated tornado are most likely. Andrew Cruz, identified as a digital content producer and weather producer, is among the named people in the story; JD Vance is also named in a separate quote from Washington, where he said, "We’re going to start blocking every international NGO that performs or promotes abortion abroad from receiving a dollar of U.S. money" at the March for Life demonstration.
