Josephine Forms in Atlantic, Brings Wind and High Surf Along East Coast

WHO:

The Weather Channel - The National Hurricane Center officially named the Atlantic system Subtropical Storm Josephine.

The Weather Channel - Jonathan Erdman is a senior meteorologist at weather.com and has covered national and international weather since 1996.

FOX Weather - The FOX Forecast Center said Josephine would cause coastal flooding in parts of the East Coast.

WHAT:

The Weather Channel - Josephine is expected to remain well offshore, move northeastward, and strengthen slightly, potentially reaching sustained winds of 80 mph.

The Weather Channel - The article said the storm’s impacts would be similar to those of a nor’easter, despite its name.

The Weather Channel - Rip currents could be life-threatening; high surf, coastal flooding, and rip currents were expected from Florida’s Atlantic beaches to New England.

The Weather Channel - Coastal flooding alerts were in effect for North Carolina’s Outer Banks, where 1 to 4 feet of inundation was possible; waves along the North Carolina coast could reach 14 feet.

The Weather Channel - Parts of the Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey coasts could see up to 2 feet of inundation and waves as high as 10 feet.

The Weather Channel - River gauges from North Carolina to Maryland could reach moderate flood stage at high tide. Significant beach erosion was expected along the East Coast.

The Weather Channel - Gusts could knock down power lines in coastal communities. Most heavy rain was forecast to stay offshore, with occasional showers possible in coastal areas.

FOX Weather - Josephine formed in the Atlantic and was moving up the East Coast toward Cape Cod. It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and was located about 265 miles south of Nantucket.

FOX Weather - Long Island and eastern Massachusetts could see gusts of 30 to 40 mph; Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard could see gusts exceeding 50 mph. Showers were possible across Cape Cod and Rhode Island, with low rainfall totals expected.

FOX Weather - Coastal flooding could persist in parts of the Chesapeake Bay; elsewhere outside the Chesapeake Bay, the article said Wednesday afternoon’s high tide was the last period with coastal flooding.

WHERE:

The Weather Channel - The area most likely to experience prolonged coastal flooding was the Delmarva Peninsula through eastern North Carolina.

FOX Weather - The system was formerly known as Invest 93L and was over the Gulf Stream.

WHEN:

FOX Weather - The storm was forecast to move north-northeast, turn northeast, and accelerate away from the East Coast by Friday; it could briefly affect Atlantic Canada.

FOX Weather - Gusty winds were expected across parts of the Northeast beginning Wednesday evening and continuing into Thursday. Moderate coastal flooding could last in parts of the Chesapeake Bay into Thursday or early Friday; wind and rain were forecast to subside by the weekend.

WHY:

FOX Weather - Warm Gulf Stream waters helped Josephine develop tropical characteristics as it gradually separated from a nearby frontal boundary.

HOW:

FOX Weather - Josephine’s movement over warm Gulf Stream waters and separation from a nearby frontal boundary accompanied its development of tropical characteristics.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 14:10 UTC)

The National Hurricane Center has named the Atlantic system Subtropical Storm Josephine, which is moving northeast along the East Coast. Warm Gulf Stream waters helped it develop tropical characteristics as it separated from a nearby front. Josephine had sustained winds of 65 miles per hour and could strengthen to 80, but it is expected to stay well offshore and turn away from the coast. Its effects may resemble a nor’easter, with dangerous surf, rip currents, coastal flooding, and beach erosion from Florida to New England. The greatest risk of prolonged flooding is from eastern North Carolina through the Delmarva Peninsula. The Outer Banks could see up to four feet of inundation and 14-foot waves, while parts of the Mid-Atlantic coast could get up to two feet of flooding. Gusty winds and occasional showers are possible, but most heavy rain should remain offshore. Josephine is forecast to accelerate away by Friday.