ATLANTIC OCEAN — The National Hurricane Center designated Subtropical Storm Josephine as the 10th named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season on Wednesday. The agency issued Advisory Number 1 for the system at 500 PM AST on October 21, 2026. Primary source: nhc.noaa.gov

At 2100 UTC on October 21, 2026, the center of Subtropical Storm Josephine was located at latitude 37.4 North and longitude 69.5 West. It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h or 55 knots) with higher gusts and an estimated minimum central pressure of 990 mb (29.24 inches). Winds of 40 mph extended outward up to 415 miles (665 km) from the center as the system moved north at 6 mph (9 km/h). Primary sources: nhc.noaa.gov, nhc.noaa.gov (2)

Subtropical Storm Josephine formed from a non-tropical area of low pressure formerly known as Invest AL93. Scatterometer data showed that fronts near the system had dissipated, with a smaller radius-of-maximum wind than the previous day. Moderate-to-deep convection has been organizing near and west of the warm-core center. The storm moved slowly northward on October 21, 2026, as a shortwave ridge passed across the northeastern United States. Primary source: nhc.noaa.gov

Subtropical Storm Josephine is forecast to turn northeastward by October 22, 2026, with an increase in forward speed. The system is expected to accelerate northeastward on October 22, 2026, as a mid-latitude trough digs into the Great Lakes and Northeastern United States. Some strengthening is expected, though it is anticipated to remain a subtropical storm through early Thursday, October 22, 2026. Primary source: nhc.noaa.gov

Further strengthening is likely by late Thursday, October 22, 2026, as it becomes a post-tropical cyclone with hurricane-force winds. Global models agree on a band of hurricane-force winds developing on October 22, 2026, on the back side of the system as it undergoes extratropical transition. By Friday, October 23, 2026, Subtropical Storm Josephine is forecast to turn eastward to the south of Newfoundland. The system is forecast to move away from the United States and remain south of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Primary source: nhc.noaa.gov

Subtropical Storm Josephine is forecast to intensify over the next day or so through a favorable trough interaction while remaining near the north wall of the Gulf Stream. A slow weakening is anticipated by late Friday, October 23, 2026, with the loss of forcing from the trough as the system moves over cold water. Subtropical Storm Josephine is forecast to become absorbed in about four days within a larger low over the North Atlantic. There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect for the storm. Primary source: nhc.noaa.gov

Gale-force wind gusts are possible along portions of the northeastern United States coast through Thursday, October 22, 2026. Long Island and eastern Massachusetts could see wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph due to Subtropical Storm Josephine. Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard could experience wind gusts exceeding 50 mph on Thursday, October 22, 2026.

Subtropical Storm Josephine will bring more clouds and gusty winds to Maine on Wednesday night into Thursday, October 22, 2026. Gusts of 25 to 35 mph are likely in Maine on Thursday, October 22, 2026. Showers are possible across Cape Cod and Rhode Island due to the storm, although rainfall totals are expected to remain low.

Wind and rain from Subtropical Storm Josephine are forecast to subside by the weekend of October 24-25, 2026. The effects of the storm in New Hampshire are expected to be minimal, with dry, mild weather expected over the next several days.

Large swells generated by Subtropical Storm Josephine are affecting much of the eastern seaboard of the United States and portions of Atlantic Canada. The swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Minor to locally moderate coastal flooding is ongoing along portions of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic coast and will continue through the rest of the week around times of high tide.

Coastal flooding is possible around high tide from the Mid-Atlantic to Cape Cod through Friday. Moderate coastal flooding could persist in parts of the Chesapeake Bay into Thursday or early Friday. Minor coastal flooding is possible along some shores of the Chesapeake Bay.

In Ocean City, Maryland, waves as large as 7 to 10 feet continue into Thursday. Tides will remain above normal through Friday in Ocean City, leading to minor coastal flooding. For Baltimore, the storm is not expected to bring any tropical-storm conditions, but the wind will remain breezy, around 10 to 15 mph. The center of the storm is about 300 miles east of Ocean City, Maryland.

What's New

The storm was located near latitude 37.4 North, longitude 69.5 West, about 265 MI (425 KM) south of Nantucket Massachusetts and about 585 MI (940 KM) southwest of Halifax Nova Scotia. The National Hurricane Center responded by issuing the first advisory on Subtropical Storm Josephine on October 21, 2026, at 500 PM AST, stating that the storm was located near latitude 37.4 North, longitude 69.5 West, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 990 mb (29.24 inches). The National Hurricane Center has flagged another area of low pressure farther out in the Atlantic with a 10% chance of developing into a storm. Primary source: nhc.noaa.gov