A robust disturbance is moving through the northeast today, setting the stage for severe to potentially violent thunderstorms across New York State, interior southern New England, and the New York City metro area. Due to this threat, the National Weather Service has already issued one Tornado Watch for the area and more watches and warnings are expected to be issued this afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, a few tornadoes along with significant severe wind and hail will be possible in the Northeast through this evening. Scattered thunderstorms continue to develop in a roughly west/east-oriented corridor across southern New York, spreading into southern New England with time. Data captured by weather balloons, aircraft, and satellite show an atmosphere ripe with energy; a very strong upper level flow, high dewpoints, and significant instability are making conditions favorable for splitting supercells. These cells have the potential to create golf ball to tennis ball sized hail and several tornadoes. Several fast-moving clusters of storms can also move through the region, setting the stage for damaging straight-line winds. The greatest threat of wind damage is over northeastern New Jersey, the New York City metro area, and Long Island.
The severe weather threat will diminish this evening. However, this region will begin to feel the impacts of the remnants of Hurricane Laura beginning later tomorrow.
