LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK — A developing coastal storm, or nor’easter, is expected to bring gusty winds to portions of the Northeast from Saturday into Sunday, raising the potential for power outages across the region.
The greatest concern is centered on Long Island, where scattered outages may occur, while isolated outages are possible across portions of New Jersey, southeastern New York, and much of southern New England, including Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
Long Island Faces the Highest Outage Risk This Weekend
On the latest Power Outage Concern map, Long Island stands out as the only area highlighted in the scattered category. That places communities across Nassau and Suffolk counties at the top of the risk list for this weekend.
The storm’s low-pressure center is forecast to sit southeast of Long Island, putting the island closest to the strongest wind field. Gusty winds blowing in off the ocean can put steady stress on trees and overhead power lines for hours at a time.
While outages are not expected to be widespread, residents should prepare for the possibility of losing power, especially in neighborhoods with mature trees near power lines.
Isolated Outages Possible From New Jersey to Southern New England
Beyond Long Island, a broad area is placed in the isolated outage category. This zone includes:
New Jersey:
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Much of the state, stretching along the coast
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From Atlantic City north toward New York City
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Reaching down toward the Delaware coast near Dover
Southeastern New York:
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New York City
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Lower Hudson Valley, including Poughkeepsie
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Areas extending up toward Albany
Southern New England:
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Bridgeport, Connecticut
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Hartford, Connecticut
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Providence, Rhode Island
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Boston, Massachusetts
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Cape Cod and the islands
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A few small pockets along the Massachusetts and Rhode Island coastlines showing slightly higher concern
Why a September Nor’easter Can Knock Out Power
Strong winds from a coastal storm can bring down tree limbs, and in some cases, entire trees and power lines. Timing plays a big role in late September, since most trees across the Northeast are still carrying full leaves.
Key factors:
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Fully leaved trees catch more wind, acting almost like sails
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That extra stress makes branches and weaker trees more likely to snap or topple compared to a similar storm in winter, when branches are bare
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Rain falling with the storm can soften the ground, making it easier for trees to uproot during stronger gusts
This combination of full foliage, saturated soil, and strong winds creates a perfect storm for power disruptions.
What to Expect Saturday Into Sunday
The wind is expected to pick up as the coastal storm develops on Saturday and continue into Sunday. Conditions will likely be gustiest closer to the coastline, particularly on:
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Long Island
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The Jersey Shore
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Exposed parts of southern New England
Residents may notice periods of stronger gusts rather than steady wind. Those bursts are often when branches come down and brief power flickers or outages occur.
Weekend impacts may include:
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Outdoor sporting events affected or postponed
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Fall festivals disrupted or canceled
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Yard work delayed due to safety concerns
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Coastal communities facing the strongest conditions
How to Prepare Before the Weekend
If you live in the affected areas, now is the time to get ready.
Before Saturday:
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Charge all devices: Make sure phones and portable batteries are fully charged so you can stay connected if the power goes out
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Secure loose outdoor objects: Patio furniture, trash cans, grills, planters, and holiday or fall decorations should be brought inside or tied down
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Items left outside can be blown around and cause damage to homes, cars, or windows
Emergency supplies to have ready:
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Flashlights and extra batteries in an easy-to-reach spot
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Avoid relying on candles, which can create a fire risk
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If you use a generator, always run it outdoors and far away from windows, doors, and vents to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
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Stock up on water and non-perishable food items
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Have a battery-powered weather radio available
Stay Safe Around Downed Trees and Power Lines
If a tree or power line comes down near your home:
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Stay far away
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Assume any wire is live
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Report downed lines to your local utility company right away
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Never try to move anything yourself
For drivers:
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Use extra caution on tree-lined roads
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Fallen limbs can block travel lanes with little warning
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Never drive over a downed power line
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Slow down and increase following distance in windy conditions
Monitor the Forecast Through Friday
Keep an eye on the latest forecast updates through Friday, as the exact track and strength of the coastal storm could shift which areas see the strongest winds this weekend.
Stay informed:
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Follow local National Weather Service offices for updates
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Sign up for emergency alerts from your county or municipality
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Check with your utility company for outage reporting tools
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Monitor local news for road closures and event cancellations
Bottom Line
While this nor’easter isn’t expected to cause catastrophic damage, the combination of full-leaf trees, saturated ground, and gusty winds creates a real risk for scattered power outages—especially on Long Island.
Prepare now, stay safe, and keep your devices charged. The storm arrives Saturday and continues into Sunday, so use Friday to get your home and family ready.
