As the afternoon of March 16, 2026, approaches, residents of New York City are bracing for severe weather conditions. A tornado watch has been issued for parts of New Jersey until 7 p.m. ET, while a wind advisory is in effect for New York City, Long Island, parts of New Jersey, and southern Connecticut from 2 p.m. Monday through 4 a.m. Tuesday.
The National Weather Service has indicated a slim chance of tornadoes developing in areas well to the west of New York City. However, conditions are expected to worsen throughout the day, with heavy rain and strong winds anticipated. Wind gusts could approach or exceed 60 mph, especially along the coast.
As of 1 p.m. ET, no tornado watch or warning has been issued for New York City. Despite this, the National Weather Service has warned of damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes as the powerful storm system moves through the region.
On Monday morning, wind speeds in New York City ranged from 5 to 15 mph, with gusts reaching 25 to 35 mph. The forecast predicts that wind gusts could reach 50 mph in the city, while New Jersey may experience gusts up to 80 mph.
Additionally, a flood watch has been issued for Fairfield County from tonight through Tuesday morning, with 1 to 2 inches of rain expected to fall. The storm system is being referred to as a “triple-threat March megastorm,” bringing destructive winds, torrential downpours, coastal flooding, and the potential for tornadoes to the Mid-Atlantic states.
Liv Johnson, a meteorologist, stated, “Even if you’re not in an area that’s highlighted or under the advisory, we’re still going to get strong wind gusts for everyone.” This highlights the widespread impact of the storm system.
As the day progresses, residents are urged to stay informed and prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions. The tornado threat in New Jersey is expected to expire at 7 p.m. ET, but the situation in New York City remains fluid.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact timing and severity of the storms in New York City. The potential for tornadoes in the area is not confirmed, as no watch or warning has been issued.