The nor’easter forecast for this weekend is tracking closer to New York City than previously expected — meaning that winds will be stronger, rainfall totals will be greater and the risk of coastal flooding will be higher, according to city officials and meteorologists.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the city’s office of emergency management have issued a travel advisory from Friday at 2 p.m. through Sunday morning. Updated forecasts are now calling for 2 to 3 inches of rain, wind gusts expected to reach 40 to 50 miles per hour, and coastal flooding in southern Queens and parts of Staten Island and Brooklyn is likely during the Friday evening and Saturday morning high tides.
“City workers are clearing catch basins, preparing for downed trees and positioning emergency resources in areas that could see coastal flooding. If you’re traveling this weekend, give yourself extra time, check your train, ferry or flight before you head out and stay off low-lying coastal roads around high tide,” Mamdani said in a statement, urging New Yorkers to be cautious and look out for their neighbors. “If you live in a basement apartment, know your way out and be ready to move to a higher floor if conditions become dangerous.”
Meteorologist Brian Ciemnecki said the closer path of the storm means that “everything intensifies.” He said the National Weather Service has issued a “laundry list” of advisories for the city, including a wind advisory, a coastal flood advisory and a high surf advisory for local beaches.
The rain is expected to start Friday evening and continue throughout the weekend, with the heaviest rain likely on Saturday, according to the forecast. Widespread flash flooding is not expected, but Ciemnecki said water may collect on low-lying streets with poor drainage.
The strongest winds are expected Friday night through Saturday night, and could be more intense on bridges and unprotected roadways, officials warned. The gusts may also bring down trees, tree limbs and power lines, so residents should be prepared to deal with possible outages. The mayor’s office urged anyone with outdoor patios to tie down loose objects, and anyone observing the Jewish holiday of Sukkot to secure outdoor structures.
The greatest chance of coastal flooding is expected around the Friday evening and Saturday morning high tides, according to city officials. New Yorkers in low-lying coastal neighborhoods are encouraged to park their cars on higher ground.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said she was also directing state agencies to be prepared to respond to the storm.
“We do not currently anticipate widespread damage from this system but hazards along our coastlines, including dangerous surf and flooding, pose a very real threat to personal safety,” Hochul said in a statement, adding that New Yorkers in affected regions should keep a close eye on the changing forecast.
Though city beaches are already closed for the season, officials said conditions will be hazardous, with rip currents expected and waves reaching up to six feet.
By Friday morning, it was still unclear whether the Global Citizens Festival, which was scheduled to take place Saturday at 4 p.m. in Central Park, would continue as planned. The event was expected to bring a crowd of 50,000 to 60,000 people to the park, and its website said it would happen rain or shine. The organizers did not immediately respond to an inquiry.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
