Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Severe Storms Threaten New York, Northeast, Disrupting Travel
Powerful thunderstorms are moving across New York, New Jersey and nearby states.
The storms can bring heavy rain, strong winds, hail and possibly tornadoes.
Some areas have already received a lot of rain, raising the risk of flash floods.
New Jersey Transit stopped some train service because water covered parts of the tracks.
Hundreds of flights were canceled at airports across the Northeast.
New York City officials told people to wait before traveling if conditions become dangerous.
Forecasters said some places may get much more rain than others.
They are especially concerned about several rounds of storms affecting New York City and Philadelphia.
Severe thunderstorm watches cover New York City and much of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
Storms brought flooding concerns, with up to 2.5 inches of rain already reported in parts of New Jersey.
New Jersey Transit suspended Coast Line service near South Amboy because of flooding.
Authorities warned of hail, damaging winds, flash flooding and a 2% tornado risk.
At least 559 flights between Boston and Washington had been canceled by 2:30 p.m., according to FlightAware.
- Who
- Residents, commuters, travelers and emergency officials across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are affected; Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned New Yorkers about dangerous travel conditions.
- What
- Severe thunderstorms are bringing threats of heavy rain, flash flooding, damaging winds, hail and possible tornadoes, while disrupting trains and flights.
- When
- The storms and warnings are in effect through Thursday afternoon and evening, with a flood watch continuing through late Thursday.
- Where
- The threat extends from Upstate New York through New Jersey, New York City, Delaware and northern Virginia, with impacts at airports from Boston to Washington.
- Why
- A line of powerful storms is producing repeated rounds of heavy rain and potentially damaging weather across the region.
- Rainfall reported
- Up to 2.5 inches had already fallen in parts of New Jersey.
- Possible wind speeds
- Gusts could reach 70 miles per hour.
- Hail threat
- Some areas could receive golf ball-sized hail.
- Tornado risk
- The reported tornado risk was 2%.
- Flight cancellations
- 559 inbound and outbound flights had been canceled from Boston to Washington by 2:30 p.m., according to FlightAware.
- Transit disruption
- New Jersey Transit suspended Coast Line trains near South Amboy because of flooding.
- Flood warnings
- New York City was under a flash flood warning through the afternoon, with a flood watch continuing through late Thursday.