BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS — The risk of multiple hazards across the Northeast and New England is possible this weekend from a powerful low-pressure system expected off the coast, according to BAMWeather. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches or more will be possible from southern Maine to Long Island, with strong wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph possible from New York City to Boston.
Corridor of Highest Winds Stretches Directly From New York City to Boston
A High Wind Threat map valid Saturday, September 26, at 2:00 p.m. EDT outlines a distinct corridor of highest winds running in a narrow band from just south of New York City up through Providence and into Boston, tied to a powerful low-pressure system, marked with a bold L, spinning just off the coast south of Long Island. If you live anywhere inside that outlined corridor, this weekend’s wind threat is aimed squarely at you.
Boston and Providence See the Strongest Gusts on the Entire Map
The single highest wind gust anywhere on today’s map belongs to Boston at 40 mph, with Providence, Rhode Island, close behind at 38 mph. If you’re in either city, this weekend’s storm is forecast to bring genuinely disruptive winds, strong enough to snap weak tree limbs, knock down isolated power lines and make travel difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.
New York City and Trenton Also Face Solid Wind Gusts This Weekend
Farther south, New York City is forecast for 29 mph gusts, matching Philadelphia at the same 29 mph, while Trenton, New Jersey, comes in at 24 mph. If you’re anywhere across the NYC metro or Central Jersey, expect a genuinely blustery Saturday afternoon, even if your numbers fall short of the more extreme gusts forecast farther northeast toward Boston.
Albany, Concord and Portland Round Out the Northern Wind Corridor
Across upstate New York and northern New England, Albany is forecast for 26 mph gusts, with Concord, New Hampshire, at 29 mph and Portland, Maine, at 26 mph. If you’re anywhere across this stretch, from the Hudson Valley through New Hampshire and into coastal Maine, expect a windy Saturday, part of the same broad corridor tied to this weekend’s offshore storm.
Burlington, Syracuse and Ithaca See Lighter but Still Notable Winds
Farther from the coast, Burlington, Vermont, is forecast for 24 mph gusts, with Syracuse coming in lighter at 20 mph and Ithaca at 24 mph. If you’re in this part of upstate New York or Vermont, today’s winds should feel noticeably milder than what’s expected closer to the coast, though still enough to warrant securing loose outdoor items.
Harrisburg, Baltimore and Washington Sit on the Southern Edge of the Wind Field
To the south, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is forecast for 24 mph gusts, with Baltimore and Washington, D.C., both coming in at 26 mph. If you’re anywhere across this stretch of the Mid-Atlantic, expect breezy conditions this weekend, part of the broader wind field wrapping around the offshore low even outside the tightest corridor targeting NYC and Boston directly.
Greatest Flooding Potential Targets a Loop From Providence to Portland
A separate New England Flooding Risk map, covering five-day rainfall totals from 2:00 a.m. Friday, September 25, through 2:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 30, outlines a greatest flooding potential loop stretching from Providence and Hartford up through Boston and into Portland, Maine. If you live inside this loop, this weekend’s storm isn’t just about wind; it’s also where forecasters expect the heaviest, most persistent rainfall to accumulate over the full five-day window.
Providence and Boston See the Highest Rainfall Totals in the Region
Within that loop, Providence is forecast for 2.41 inches of rain over the five-day period, while Boston sits near the highest total on the entire map at roughly 3.44 inches. If you’re in either city, plan for a genuinely soggy stretch running from late this week through the middle of next week, with the heaviest rain arriving alongside the strongest winds this weekend.
New York City and Albany Also Face More Than an Inch of Rain
Just outside the core flooding loop, New York City is forecast for 1.74 inches over the five-day window, with Albany at 1.03 inches. If you’re anywhere across the lower Hudson Valley or NYC metro, expect meaningful rainfall to accumulate even though you sit just outside the zone forecasters flagged for the greatest flooding concern.
Augusta and Bangor See Solid Totals Farther Up the Maine Coast
Continuing north along the Maine coast, Augusta is forecast for 1.27 inches, with Bangor close behind at 0.95 inches, and Portland, Maine, forecast near 1.44 inches. If you’re anywhere across this stretch of southern and central Maine, expect a genuinely wet five days as this system pulls moisture up the coastline alongside its strongest winds.
Philadelphia, Washington and Points South See Lighter Rainfall
Farther south and inland, rainfall totals ease considerably. Philadelphia is forecast for just 0.56 inches, while Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia, both come in at a light 0.32 inches. If you’re anywhere across this stretch of the Mid-Atlantic, this weekend’s storm should bring far less rain your way than what’s expected across coastal New England.
Track Hourly Wind and Rainfall Forecasts as This Storm Approaches
With both the wind and rainfall threats tied to a still-developing offshore system, forecasters recommend tracking the latest hourly wind forecast and hourly rainfall forecast as the weekend approaches, available through the BAM Weather app. If you’re anywhere from southern Maine to Long Island, this is worth doing before finalizing weekend plans, since both the exact wind corridor and rainfall totals could shift slightly as the low-pressure system organizes off the coast.
What Residents From NYC to Boston Should Do This Weekend
If you’re anywhere inside the highlighted wind corridor, from New York City through Providence and Boston, secure loose outdoor furniture and decorations before Saturday afternoon, and avoid parking under large tree limbs given the potential for gusts up to 50 mph. If you’re inside the flooding loop stretching from Providence to Portland, keep an eye on local streams and low-lying roads as rainfall accumulates through the extended five-day window, since the combination of wind and rain together makes this a multi-hazard event worth taking seriously across the entire region.
