Nor'easter Brings Tornado Warnings to NYC: Floods, Snow & What's Next
A nor'easter put JFK and LaGuardia under tornado warnings and left a confirmed tornado in Delaware, with flash floods and the season's first snow still to come.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / Griffinstorm
NEW YORK, Nov. 12 — A nor'easter sweeping up the East Coast put New York City's two main airports under tornado warnings on Thursday afternoon, and the National Weather Service later confirmed a tornado in Delaware, as flash flooding spread across the Northeast.
The warning for southern Queens, including the area around John F. Kennedy International Airport, came at 1:14 p.m. Eastern after radar showed rotation over Rockaway Beach, the weather service said. LaGuardia was also under a tornado warning, and both airports held departing flights on the ground. The storm hit New York a day after a building collapse in Brooklyn's Flatbush neighbourhood killed eight people and injured 19.
- The weather service confirmed a tornado in New Castle County, Delaware; the touchdown point is not yet known.
- Tornado warnings covered JFK and LaGuardia airports in New York, with ground stops in place at both.
- Flash flood warnings covered New York City, with 1 to 3 inches of rain possible.
- The nor'easter peaks Friday night, bringing the season's first snow to upstate New York.
Was There a Tornado in Delaware and New York Today?
Yes, in Delaware. The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado "did occur in New Castle County," though it did not say where it touched down, and said more information would follow on Friday, Nov. 13. In Christiana, south of Wilmington, a hotel sign fell on two cars and trees were downed. The hotel lost power; no injuries were reported.
In New York, no tornado was spotted. The warning for southern Queens ran until 2 p.m., covering the area around JFK Airport and southwestern Nassau County, after a severe thunderstorm was located over Rockaway Beach at 1:13 p.m. People in the warned areas were urged to take shelter.
How the Nor'easter Will Affect Flights, Flooding and Snow on Friday
The low-pressure system developed near Washington, D.C., on Thursday morning, hours after five people were shot in the capital's Logan Circle neighbourhood, and brought thunderstorms to the Interstate 95 corridor. A tornado watch covered the region until Thursday evening, including Wilmington and Philadelphia, with a Level 2 out of 5 severe threat for the region. A flash flood warning remained in effect for Queens until 6:15 p.m.
By Friday, the low should track northward along the East Coast, with its centre near Long Island. It should peak on Friday night as colder air moves in, bringing the season's first significant snow to higher elevations of upstate New York and northern New England. By Saturday, it should pull away toward the Canadian Maritimes.
| Time (Eastern) | Area | Alert | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:50 p.m. | NJ, PA, Delaware | Tornado watch | Until 7 p.m. |
| 1:13 p.m. | Southern Queens, JFK | Tornado warning | Expired 2 p.m. |
| Afternoon | LaGuardia Airport | Tornado warning | Ground stop |
| Afternoon | New Castle County, DE | Tornado confirmed | Details due Nov. 13 |
| Evening | New York City | Flash flood warning | Until 6:15 p.m. |
Why November Tornadoes Are Rare in New York and Delaware
Organised severe thunderstorms are unusual in this region so late in the year. Forecasters said it had been five years since the New York metro area had seen this level of severe storm activity in November. "It's quite rare, but it's not totally out of the realm of possibility," said Eric Hoeflich, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was there a tornado at JFK Airport today?
No. The weather service issued a tornado warning at 1:14 p.m. Eastern for southern Queens, including the airport area, after radar showed rotation. It ran until 2 p.m., and both airports held flights on the ground.
How much rain will the nor'easter bring to New York City?
Between Philadelphia and New York City, 1 to 3 inches of rain could fall in a short period. A flash flood warning covered Queens until 6:15 p.m. on Thursday.
Will the nor'easter bring snow to New York and New England?
Yes, in the higher elevations. The season's first significant snow is forecast for upstate New York and northern New England into the weekend.
Are flights cancelled because of the nor'easter?
Ground stops were in place at JFK and LaGuardia on Thursday afternoon. Travellers should check their flight status, as delays are likely to continue.
The weather service will share more on the Delaware tornado on Friday, Nov. 13, after survey work. The storm should pull away toward the Canadian Maritimes by Saturday.
