Severe thunderstorm watch issued for Long Island, NYC, NWS says
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for Long Island through midnight, the National Weather Service said. A watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
A band of strong to severe thunderstorms is forecast to move east into and across much of the area this evening. Wind gusts of up to 65 mph could accompany the storm, the weather service said, and there is an isolated threat of large hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter.
⚠️Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for our entire local region until 12 AM tonight.
— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) June 26, 2024
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New York City, Nassau and western Suffolk are at a slight risk for scattered and severe thunderstorms and eastern Suffolk to the East End is at a marginal risk, forecasters said.
Storms were forecast to roll from New York City, through western Nassau after 7:30 p.m. and were likely to come through eastern Long Island after 9 p.m., the weather service said. More storm activity could be seen through the early morning hours as well.
The storms were expected to weaken as they moved east, the weather service said.
"Not everybody sees the severe weather event,” said Bill Goodman, a NWS meteorologist in Upton. “But those that do can experience strong, gusty winds, heavy rain, decent hail.”
“The cooler air coming off the ocean tends to weaken storms as they move east across Suffolk,” Goodman said. “That's typical of the way things play out with summertime thunderstorms.”
Severe hail less than 1 inch in diameter is also possible with any stronger storm and would likely occur in Nassau and western Suffolk.
A riptide warning also continues into Wednesday night until 9 p.m. for southern beaches.