Subtropical Storm Josephine
Subtropical Storm Josephine is projected to move northeastward away from the United States by Thursday, evolving into a powerful extratropical cyclone. As of 1100 PM AST, the storm is positioned 245 miles south of Nantucket, Massachusetts, and 565 miles southwest of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with maximum winds of 65 mph and a central pressure of 988 mb. The storm is moving north-northeast at 6 mph. No coastal watches or warnings are currently in effect.
Josephine is expected to strengthen further, potentially reaching post-tropical cyclone status with hurricane-force winds. The storm's reach includes winds extending up to 415 miles from its center. Gale-force winds may affect parts of the northeastern U.S. coast, with ongoing minor to moderate coastal flooding in the Mid-Atlantic region. Additionally, large swells are impacting the U.S. East Coast and Atlantic Canada, posing life-threatening surf and rip current risks.
Tropical Storm Josephine, which recently formed in the Atlantic, is expected to bring severe weather conditions along the East Coast of the United States, particularly in Massachusetts. The storm is forecasted to strengthen as it combines with a coastal nor'easter, leading to potential heavy rainfall, strong winds, and high surf in the affected areas. Emergency services are on high alert, preparing for possible disruptions and advising residents to stay updated on weather forecasts. As Josephine moves closer, communities are bracing for impacts and urging citizens to ensure safety measures are in place.
Meanwhile, as the storm stirs the waters of the Atlantic, other regions like Philadelphia are currently experiencing a pleasant spell of fall weather. Despite the looming threat from Josephine, Philadelphia's weather remains relatively unaffected, maintaining sunny skies and comfortable temperatures. However, coastal areas are advised to keep an eye on changing weather patterns as the storm may influence surf conditions. While Josephine's path is currently being monitored, officials continue to stress the importance of preparedness should the forecast evolve unexpectedly.
Invest 93L
A subtropical storm has formed, named Josephine, which is anticipated to bring severe weather conditions to parts of Florida. While initially characterized as a nor'easter, meteorological observations suggest that the system is developing more tropical characteristics as it moves slowly along the East Coast. With atmospheric conditions proving favorable, the subtropical storm Josephine is expected to gain strength, urging residents in its potential path to remain vigilant. The National Hurricane Center has advised that while the current projections do not predict a direct landfall, peripheral impacts like heavy rain and gusty winds could affect coastal areas.
As the weather system progresses, meteorologists are closely monitoring its development to determine whether the subtropical storm will transition into a fully tropical storm. The potential intensification of Josephine raises concerns about increased rainfall and the potential for localized flooding in vulnerable regions. Experts emphasize the importance of preparedness, especially as the chances of further transformation into a tropical entity remain a possibility. Local authorities advise communities to stay updated on weather forecasts and be ready to implement safety measures if necessary.
October 22, 2026, at 6:15 PM EDT
In the Gulf of America, scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms appear near a surface trough from southern Texas to the SW Gulf and the Yucatan peninsula. Fresh to strong NW winds are reported off Veracruz, with NE winds in the eastern Bay of Campeche. Anticipate fresh to strong NE winds with rough seas over the eastern Gulf by Friday night, spreading to the central Gulf over the weekend, with seas potentially reaching 13 ft.
The Caribbean Sea experiences mild weather with few showers and calmer winds, yet fresh E to SE winds will begin Friday night in the eastern Caribbean. Simultaneously, moderate to fresh northerly winds will occur over the western basin, especially the Yucatan Channel, persisting through the weekend.
In the Atlantic Ocean, multiple surface troughs foster scattered showers and storms, with rough seas noted west of a Vermont-Bahamas-Cuba line due to fresh northerly winds. Conditions will slightly ease by Friday, but expect a resurgence in fresh-to-strong NE to E winds and rough seas as low pressure deepens near the Bahamas over the weekend, with potential gale-force winds northwest of a 31N60W to northern Bahamas line by Sunday.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecasted an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2025.
Named Storms: 8 to 14
Hurricanes: 3 to 6
Major Hurricanes (Category 3 or higher): 1 to 3
Accumulate Cyclone Energy (ACE): 95% to 180% of the median
Primary Influencing Factor: Developing El Niño conditions expected to suppress Atlantic storm activity
This forecast indicates:
Despite the lower forecast, NOAA emphasizes that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to create a major disaster, and residents in hurricane-prone areas should still prepare as usual for the season.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30Key: Active Past Future
*Press/click the storm name to view additional detailsDespite fewer total storms than forecasted, the 2025 season produced several extremely intense hurricanes, including three Category 5 systems, making it one of the more powerful Atlantic seasons in recent history.
2020 - 30 named storms, 14 hurricanes
Hurricane Katrina (2005) - $125 billion
Harvey (2017) - $125 billion
Hurricane Patricia (2015) - 215 mph (345 km/h)
Hurricane Allen (1980) - 190 mph (305 km/h)
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating system that classifies hurricanes based on their sustained wind speeds and the potential damage they can cause. It helps communicate the intensity of hurricanes and the likely impacts on structures and environments. The scale does not account for factors like storm surge or rainfall, focusing only on wind speeds.
Watching the Tropics was originally built as a personal storm tracker with only the most important charts for the Atlantic hurricane basin. Numerous sites are available for tracking hurricanes, but Watching the Tropics minimizes extra "noise" and shows only what you need.
Designed in Florida by
"Watching the tropics" refers to monitoring tropical weather systems, such as tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes, in regions close to the equator. Meteorologists and weather enthusiasts often use this phrase during hurricane season to indicate that they're keeping an eye on developing weather systems that could potentially strengthen and impact areas like the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean.
Websites, news outlets, or weather services also use "Tropics Watch" to keep the public informed about the latest developments in the tropics, especially during peak hurricane season.
An "invest" refers to an area of disturbed weather that meteorologists are investigating for potential tropical development. The term "invest" is short for "investigation area."
When an area is designated as an invest, it is given a number (between 90 and 99) followed by the letter "L" for systems in the North Atlantic or "E" for systems in the Eastern Pacific. For example, "Invest 91L" would refer to the 91st area of interest in the Atlantic basin for that season.
The designation of an invest allows meteorologists to focus their resources on a specific area, utilize specialized forecasting models, and issue updates as needed.
A tropical depression is a type of tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of less than 39 mph (34 knots or 63 km/h).
Key characteristics:
It's the first stage of development in the tropical cyclone classification used by the National Hurricane Center, followed by tropical storm and then hurricane.
